Illumination unit, projection display unit, and direct-view display unit

ABSTRACT

An illumination system including one or more light sources each including a solid-state light-emitting device; and an optical member configured to allow light incident from the solid-state light-emitting device to pass therethrough and exit therefrom, and at least one of the chips in the one or more light sources is configured of a laser diode. The optical member includes an integrator including a first fly-eye lens on which light from the solid-state light-emitting device is incident and a second fly-eye lens on which light from the first fly-eye lens is incident, and uniformizing a luminance distribution of light in a predetermined illumination region illuminated with light incident from the solid-state light-emitting device. A major-axis direction of a luminance distribution shape of light incident on an incident plane of the first fly-eye lens is different from arrangement directions of the cells in the first fly-eye lens.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an illumination unit using asolid-state light-emitting device such as a laser diode (LD), and aprojection display unit and a direct-view display unit each of whichincludes the illumination unit.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, projectors configured to project an image onto a screenare widely used not only in offices but also in households. Projectorsmodulate light from a light source with use of a light valve to generateimage light, and projects the image light onto a screen to therebyperform display (for example, refer to PTL 1). Recently, palm-sizedultra-compact projectors, cellular phones with a built-in ultra-compactprojector, and the like are being introduced.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   [PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publications No.    2008-134324

SUMMARY

Incidentally, high-luminance discharge lamps are dominant light sourcesused for projectors. However, since the discharge lamps have arelatively large size and high power consumption, in recent years,solid-state light-emitting devices such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs),laser diodes (LDs), and organic ELs (OLEDs) have been attractingattention as alternatives to the discharge lamps. These solid-statelight-emitting devices have advantages over the discharge lamps not onlyin size and power consumption but also in high reliability.

Thus, in such projectors, in general, a reduction in luminanceunevenness in illumination light (uniformization of luminance ofillumination light) is achieved with use of an integrator including afly-eye lens or the like. However, even though such an integrator isused, in some cases, luminance unevenness in illumination light may notbe sufficiently reduced (a luminance distribution may not beuniformized); therefore, a further improvement is desired.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide an illumination unit capable ofreducing luminance unevenness in illumination light, and a projectiondisplay unit and a direct-view display unit each of which includes suchan illumination unit.

An illumination unit according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes: one or more light sources each including asolid-state light-emitting device, the solid-state light-emitting deviceconfigured to emit light from a light emission region thereof, the lightemission region including one or more dot-shaped or non-dot-shapedlight-emitting spots; and an optical member configured to allow lightincident from the solid-state light-emitting device to pass therethroughand exit therefrom. The solid-state light-emitting device includes asingle chip or a plurality of chips, the single chip configured to emitlight in a single wavelength range or light in a plurality of wavelengthranges, the plurality of chips configured to emit light in a samewavelength range or light in wavelength ranges different from oneanother, and at least one of the chips in the one or more light sourcesis configured of a laser diode. The above-described optical memberincludes an integrator including a first fly-eye lens and a secondfly-eye lens, and configured to uniformize a luminance distribution oflight in a predetermined illumination region illuminated with lightincident from the solid-state light-emitting device, the first fly-eyelens on which light from the solid-state light-emitting device isincident, the second fly-eye lens on which light from the first fly-eyelens is incident. Each of the first and second fly-eye lenses includes aplurality of cells, and a major-axis direction of a luminancedistribution shape of light incident on an incident plane of the firstfly-eye lens is different from arrangement directions of the cells inthe first fly-eye lens.

A projection display unit according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes an illumination optical system, a spatial modulatingdevice configured to modulate light from the illumination optical systembased on an input image signal to generate image light, and a projectionoptical system configured to project the image light generated by thespatial modulating device. The illumination optical system mounted inthe projection display unit includes the same components as those of theillumination unit according to the above-described embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

A direct-view display unit according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes an illumination optical system, a spatial modulatingdevice configured to modulate light from the illumination optical systembased on an input image signal to generate image light, a projectionoptical system configured to project the image light generated by thespatial modulating device, and a transmissive screen configured todisplay the image light projected from the projection optical system.The illumination optical system mounted in the direct-view display unitincludes the same components as those in the illumination unit accordingto the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the illumination unit, the projection display unit, and thedirect-view display unit according to the above-described embodiments ofthe present disclosure, the major-axis direction of the luminancedistribution shape of light incident on the incident plane of the firstfly-eye lens is different from arrangement directions of the cells inthe first fly-eye lens. Therefore, even if laser light emitted from thelight source including the chip configured of the laser diode has asteep luminance distribution shape (for example, even if a far fieldpattern (FFP) does not have a circular (isotropic) shape) (for example,even if the FFP has an elliptical shape), luminance unevenness inincident light is allowed to be easily reduced in the integrator.

In the illumination unit, the projection display unit, and thedirect-view display unit according to the above-described embodiments ofthe present disclosure, since the major-axis direction of the luminancedistribution shape of light incident on the incident plane of the firstfly-eye lens is different from the arrangement directions of the cellsin the first fly-eye lens, luminance unevenness in the incident light isallowed to be easily reduced in the integrator. Therefore, luminanceunevenness in illumination light is allowed to be reduced, and displayimage quality is improvable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B) are diagrams illustrating a schematic configurationof a projector according to a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B) are diagrams illustrating an example of opticalpaths in the projector illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) are diagrams illustrating an example of a topconfiguration and a sectional configuration of the light source in FIG.1 in a case where a chip is of a top emission type.

FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) are diagrams illustrating another example of the topconfiguration and the sectional configuration of the light source inFIG. 1 in the case where the chip is of the top emission type.

FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) are diagrams illustrating still another example ofthe top configuration and the sectional configuration of the lightsource in FIG. 1 in the case where the chip is of the top emission type.

FIGS. 6(A) to 6(C) are diagrams illustrating an example of alight-emitting spot in the light source in FIG. 1 in the case where thechip is of the top emission type.

FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B) are diagrams illustrating an example of a sectionalconfiguration of the light source in FIG. 1 and a configuration of asolid-state light-emitting device when viewed from a light emissionsurface side thereof in the case where the chip is of an edge emissiontype.

FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) are diagrams illustrating another example of thesectional configuration of the light source in FIG. 1 and theconfiguration of the solid-state light-emitting device when viewed fromthe light emission surface side thereof in the case where the chip is ofthe edge emission type.

FIGS. 9(A) to 9(C) are diagrams illustrating still another example ofthe sectional configuration of the light source in FIG. 1 and theconfiguration of the solid-state light-emitting device when viewed fromthe light emission surface side thereof in the case where the chip is ofthe edge emission type.

FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B) are diagrams illustrating a configuration examplewhen the light source in FIG. 7 is rotated by 90 deg on an XY plane.

FIGS. 11(A) and 11(B) are diagrams illustrating a configuration examplewhen the light source in FIG. 8 is rotated by 90 deg on an XY plane.

FIGS. 12(A) to 12(C) are diagrams illustrating a configuration examplewhen the light source in FIG. 9 is rotated by 90 deg on an XY plane.

FIGS. 13(A) and 13(B) are diagrams illustrating a schematicconfiguration of a fly-eye lens in FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating configuration examples of alight-emitting spot and an FFP in the light source in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B) are schematic views illustrating an example of aluminance distribution of light incident on a fly-eye lens disposed in apreceding stage in FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a specific configurationexample of a main part of an illumination optical system in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 17(A) and 17(B) are schematic views illustrating otherconfiguration examples of the light-emitting spot and the FFP in thelight source in FIG. 1.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view illustrating an example of a light sourceimage appearing on a fly-eye lens disposed in a following stage in theprojector in FIG. 1.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view for describing a size of an illuminationregion in FIG. 1.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view illustrating a luminance distribution oflight incident on a fly-eye lens in a preceding stage in a projectoraccording to a comparative example.

FIGS. 21(A) and 21(B) are characteristic diagrams for describing detailsof the luminance distribution illustrated in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of luminance unevennesscaused in a projector according to a comparative example.

FIGS. 23(A) and 23(B) are diagrams for describing a luminance unevennessreduction function in the illumination optical system according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a characteristic example according toan example of the first embodiment.

FIGS. 25(A) and 25(B) are diagrams illustrating a schematicconfiguration of a projector according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view illustrating a specific configurationexample of a main part of the illumination optical system in FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a schematic view illustrating a specific configurationexample of a fly-eye lens disposed in a preceding stage illustrated inFIG. 26.

FIGS. 28(A) and 28(B) are diagrams for describing a luminance unevennessreduction function in the illumination optical system according to thesecond embodiment.

FIGS. 29(A)-29(D) are schematic views illustrating another configurationexample of the fly-eye lens disposed in the preceding stage according tothe second embodiment.

FIGS. 30(A) and 30(B) are diagrams illustrating a schematicconfiguration of a projector according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view illustrating a specific configurationexample of a main part of an illumination optical system in FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a schematic view for describing a function of an anamorphiclens illustrated in FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a diagram for describing a luminance unevenness reductionfunction in the illumination optical system according to the thirdembodiment.

FIGS. 34(A) and 34(B) are diagrams illustrating a schematicconfiguration of a projector according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view illustrating a specific configurationexample of a main part of an illumination optical system in FIG. 34.

FIGS. 36(A) and 36(B) are schematic views for describing a specificexample and a function of an optical path branching device illustratedin FIG. 35.

FIGS. 37(A) and 37(B) are diagrams for describing a luminance unevennessreduction function in the illumination optical system according to thefourth embodiment.

FIGS. 38(A) and 38(B) are diagrams illustrating a schematicconfiguration of a projector according to a fifth embodiment.

FIGS. 39(A) and 39(B) are diagrams illustrating a schematicconfiguration of a projector according to Modification Example 1applicable to the first to fifth embodiments.

FIGS. 40(A) and 40(B) are diagrams illustrating a schematicconfiguration of a projector according to Modification Example 2applicable to the first to fifth embodiments.

FIGS. 41(A) and 41(B) are diagrams illustrating an example of opticalpaths in the projector in FIG. 40.

FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating a sectional configuration example of alight source according to Modification Example 3 applicable to the firstto fifth embodiments.

FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship betweenarrangement of light-emitting spots and FFPs in the light source in FIG.42.

FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of arear-projection display unit using any of the illumination opticalsystems according to the first to fifth embodiments, ModificationExamples 1 to 3, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Some embodiments of the present technology will be described in detailbelow referring to the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted thatdescription will be given in the following order.

1. First Embodiment (An example in which a luminance distribution oflight incident on a fly-eye lens disposed in a preceding stage isinclined)

2. Second Embodiment (An example in which positions of cells in thefly-eye lens disposed in the preceding stage are shifted)

3. Third Embodiment (An example in which an anamorphic lens is includedin an illumination optical system)

4. Fourth Embodiment (An example in which an optical path branchingdevice is included in an illumination optical system)

5. Fifth Embodiment (An example in which both an anamorphic lens and anoptical path branching device are included in an illumination opticalsystem)

6. Modification Examples Applicable to First to Fifth Embodiments inCommon

Modification Example 1 (An example in which a reflective device is usedas a spatial modulating device)

Modification Example 2 (An example in which only one light source isincluded in an illumination optical system)

Modification Example 3 (An example in which a chip in a light source isinclined with respect to an optical axis)

Other Modification Examples (Combinations of any of the embodiments andthe like, an application example to a rear-projection display unit, andthe like)

First Embodiment Entire Configuration of Projector 1

FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B) illustrate a schematic configuration of a projector(a projector 1) according to a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure. It is to be noted that the projector 1 corresponds to aspecific example of “projection display unit” in the present disclosure.FIG. 1(A) illustrates a configuration example of the projector 1 whenviewed from above (from a y-axis direction), and FIG. 1(B) illustrates aconfiguration example of the projector 1 when viewed from a side thereof(from an x-axis direction). Moreover, FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B) illustrate anexample of optical paths in the projector 1 in FIG. 1. FIG. 2(A)illustrates an example of the optical paths when the projector 1 isviewed from above (from the y-axis direction), and FIG. 2(B) illustratesan example of the optical paths when the projector 1 is viewed from aside thereof (from the x-axis direction).

Typically, a y axis is directed toward a vertical direction, and an xaxis is directed toward a horizontal direction; however, the y axis maybe directed toward the horizontal direction, and the x axis may bedirected toward the vertical direction. It is to be noted that, forconvenience sake, in the following description, the y axis and the xaxis are directed toward the vertical direction and the horizontaldirection, respectively. Moreover, in the following description, a“transverse direction” indicates the x-axis direction, and a“longitudinal direction” indicates the y-axis direction.

The projector 1 includes, for example, an illumination optical system1A, a spatial modulating device 60 which modulates light from theillumination optical system 1A based on an input image signal togenerate image light, and a projection optical system 70 which projectsthe image light generated by the spatial modulating device 60 onto areflective screen 2. Herein, the illumination optical system 1Acorresponds to a specific example of “illumination unit” in the presentdisclosure.

(Configuration of Illumination Optical System 1A)

The illumination optical system 1A provides a light flux which isapplied to an illumination region 60A (an illuminated surface) of thespatial modulating device 60. It is to be noted that, as necessary, anyoptical device may be included in a region where light of theillumination optical system 1A passes. For example, a filter whichattenuates light, other than visible light, from the illuminationoptical system 1A, or the like may be included in the region where lightof the illumination optical system 1A passes.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B), the illuminationoptical system 1A includes light sources 10A, 10B, and 10C, couplinglenses (directivity angle changing devices) 20A, 20B, and 20C, anoptical path combining device 30, an integrator 40, and a condenser lens50. The optical path combining device 30 combines light from the lightsources 10A, 10B, and 10C, and may be configured of, for example, twodichroic mirrors 30A and 30B. The integrator 40 uniformizes anilluminance distribution of light in the illumination region 60A, andmay be configured of, for example, a pair of fly-eye lenses 40A and 40B.The coupling lens 20A, the optical path combining device 30, theintegrator 40, and the condenser lens 50 are arranged in this order froma side closer to the light source 10A along an optical axis of the lightsource 10A. An optical axis of the light source 10B is orthogonal to theoptical axis of the light source 10A on the dichroic mirror 30A, and thecoupling lens 20B and the dichroic mirror 30A are arranged in this orderfrom a side closer to the light source 10B along the optical axis of thelight source 10B. An optical axis of the light source 10C is orthogonalto the optical axis of the light source 10A on the dichroic mirror 30B,and the coupling lens 20C and the dichroic mirror 30B are arranged inthis order from a side closer to the light source 10C along the opticalaxis of the light source 10C.

Herein, the coupling lenses (directivity angle changing devices) 20A,20B, and 20C, and the integrator 40 from among the above-describedcomponents correspond to specific examples of “optical member (opticalmember allowing incident light from a solid-state light-emitting devicewhich will be described later to pass therethrough and exit therefrom)”in the present disclosure.

It is to be noted that, in FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B), a case where respectivecomponents (except for the light sources 10B and 10C and the couplinglenses 20B and 20C) of the projector 1 are arranged on a line segmentparallel to a z axis is illustrated; however, some of the respectivecomponents of the projector 1 may be arranged on a line segment notparallel to the z axis. For example, although not illustrated, theentire illumination optical system 1A may be rotated by 90° from a stateillustrated in FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B) to allow an optical axis of theillumination optical system 1A to be oriented toward a directionorthogonal to the z axis. However, in such a case, it is necessary toprovide an optical device (for example, a mirror) guiding light outputfrom the illumination optical system 1A toward the spatial modulatingdevice 60. Moreover, for example, the light source 10A, the couplinglens 20A, and the optical path combining device 30 may be rotated by 90°from the state illustrated in FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B) to allow optical axesthereof to be oriented toward the direction orthogonal to the z axis.However, in such a case, it is necessary to provide an optical device(for example, a mirror) guiding light output from the optical pathcombining device 30 toward the integrator 40.

(Light Sources 10A, 10B, 10C Including Chips 11A of Top Emission Type)

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) to 5(A) and 5(B),each of the light sources 10A, 10B, and 10C includes a solid-statelight-emitting device 11 and a package 12 supporting the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 (a base for mounting the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 thereon). In other words, in this case, each ofthe light sources 10A, 10B, and 10C is formed in a manner of a packagein which the solid-state light-emitting device 11 is supported on thebase. The solid-state light-emitting device 11 emits light from a lightemission region including one or more dot-shaped or non-dot-shapedlight-emitting spots. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3(A) and3(B), the solid-state light-emitting device 11 may include a single chip11A emitting light in a predetermined wavelength range, or asillustrated in FIGS. 4(A), 4(B), 5(A), and 5(B), the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 may include a plurality of chips 11A emittinglight in a same wavelength range or light in wavelength ranges differentfrom one another. In the case where the solid-state light-emittingdevice 11 includes a plurality of chips 11A, for example, these chips11A may be arranged, for example, in a line in the transverse directionas illustrated in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), or in a grid-like pattern in thetransverse direction and the longitudinal direction as illustrated inFIGS. 5(A) and 5(B). The number of chips 11A included in the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 may be different in each of the light sources10A, 10B, and 10C, or may be the same in all of the light sources 10A,10B, and 10C.

In the case where the solid-state light-emitting device 11 includes thesingle chip 11A, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3(A), a size(W_(V)×W_(H)) of the solid-state light-emitting device 11 is equal to asize (W_(V1)×W_(H1)) of the single chip 11A. On the other hand, in thecase where the solid-state light-emitting device 11 includes a pluralityof chips 11A, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 4(A) and 5(A), thesize of the solid-state light-emitting device 11 is equal to the size ofa package into which all of the chips 11A are gathered. In the casewhere the plurality of chips 11A are arranged in a line in thetransverse direction, the size (W_(V)×W_(H)) of the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 is equal to W_(V1)×2 W_(H1) in an example inFIG. 4(A). Moreover, in the case where the plurality of chips 11A arearranged in a grid-like pattern in the transverse direction and thelongitudinal direction, the size (W_(V)×W_(H)) of the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 is equal to 2 W_(V1)×2 W_(H1) in an example inFIG. 5(A).

Each of the chips 11A is configured of a light-emitting diode (LED), anorganic EL light-emitting diode (OLED), or a laser diode (LD). However,in this embodiment, at least one of the chips 11A included in the lightsources 10A, 10B, and 10C may be configured of an LD. It is to be notedthat the chips 11A other than the chip 11A configured of the LD may beconfigured of any of an LED, an OLED, and an LD.

The chips 11A included in the light sources 10A, 10B, and 10C emit lightin wavelength ranges different in each of the light sources 10A, 10B,and 10C, for example. The chip 11A included in the light source 10Aemits, for example, light in a wavelength of about 400 nm to about 500nm both inclusive (blue light). The chip 11A included in the lightsource 10B emits, for example, light in a wavelength of about 500 nm toabout 600 nm both inclusive (green light). The chip 11A included in thelight source 10C emits, for example, light in a wavelength of about 600nm to about 700 nm both inclusive (red light). It is to be noted thatthe chip 11A included in the light source 10A may emit light (greenlight or red light) other than blue light. Moreover, the chip 11Aincluded in the light source 10B may emit light (blue light or redlight) other than blue light. Further, the chip 11A included in thelight source 10C may emit light (green light or blue light) other thanred light.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) to FIGS. 6(A), 6(B),and 6(C), each of the chips 11A has a light-emitting spot 11B with asmaller size (P_(V1)×P_(H1)) than the size (W_(V)×W_(H)) of the chip11A. The light-emitting spot 11B corresponds to a region (a lightemission region) from which the chip 11A emits light when a current isinjected into the chip 11A to drive the chip 11A. In a case where thechip 11A is configured of an LED or an OLED, the light-emitting spot 11Bhas a non-dot (planar) shape, but in a case where the chip 11A isconfigured of an LD, the light-emitting spot 11B has a smaller dot shapethan the light-emitting spot 11B of the LED or the OLED.

In the case where the solid-state light-emitting device 11 includes asingle chip 11A, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 6(A), the number oflight-emitting spots 11B is one. However, as will be described later, inthe case where the solid-state light-emitting device 11 has a monolithicconfiguration, the number of light-emitting spots 11B is two or more,and this applies to the following description. On the other hand, in thecase where the solid-state light-emitting device 11 includes a pluralityof chips 11A, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 6(B) and 6(C), thenumber of the light-emitting spots 11B is equal to the number of chips11A (however, as described above, the solid-state light-emitting device11 has a monolithic configuration, the number of light-emitting spots11B is larger than the number of chips 11A). In the case where thesolid-state light-emitting device 11 includes the single chip 11A, asize (P_(V)×P_(H)) of the light emission region of the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 is equal to the size (P_(V1)×P_(H1)) of thelight-emitting spot 11B (except for the case where the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 has a monolithic configuration, as describedabove). On the other hand, in the case where the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 includes a plurality of chips 11A, the size(P_(V)×P_(H)) of the light emission region of the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 is equal to a size of a smallest possibleenclosure containing the light-emitting spots 11B of all of the chips11A. In the case where the plurality of chips 11A are arranged in a linein the transverse direction, in an example in FIG. 6(B), the size(P_(V)×P_(H)) of the light emission region is larger than P_(V1)×2P_(H1), and is smaller than W_(V)×W_(H). Moreover, in the case where theplurality of chips 11A are arranged in a grid-like pattern in thetransverse direction and the longitudinal direction, the size(P_(V)×P_(H)) of the light emission region is larger than 2 P_(V1)×2P_(H1), and is smaller than W_(V)×W_(H) in an example in FIG. 6(C).

(Light Sources 10A, 10B, and 10C Including Chips 11A of Edge-EmissionType)

In FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) to 6(A), 6(B), and 6(C), the case where the chips11A are of a top-emission type is described as an example; however, thechips 11A may be of an edge-emission type which will be described later.In this case, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B) toFIGS. 12(A), 12(B), and 12(C), each of the light sources 10A, 10B, and10C is of a can type in which the solid-state light-emitting device 11including one or a plurality of edge-emission type chips 11A iscontained in an inner space enclosed with a stem 13 and a cap 14. Inother words, in this case, each of the light sources 10A, 10B, and 10Cis formed in a manner of a package incorporating the solid-statelight-emitting device 11.

The stem 13 configures, together with the cap 14, a package of each ofthe light sources 10A, 10B, and 10C, and includes, for example, asupporting substrate 13A supporting a submount 15, an outer framesubstrate 13B disposed on a back side of the supporting substrate 13A,and a plurality of connection terminals 13C.

The submount 15 is made of a material having conductivity and thermaldissipation. The supporting substrate 13A and the outer frame substrate13B each are configured of a base having conductivity and heatdissipation in which one or more insulating through holes and one ormore conductive through holes are formed. The supporting substrate 13Aand the outer frame substrate 13B each may have, for example, a diskshape, and are laminated to allow central axes (not illustrated) thereofto be superimposed on each other. A diameter of the outer framesubstrate 13B is larger than that of the supporting substrate 13A. Anouter edge of the outer frame substrate 13B is a ring-shaped flangehanging over in a radiation direction from the central axis of the outerframe substrate 13B in a plane having a normal along the central axis ofthe outer frame substrate 13B. The flange has a role in determining areference position when the cap 14 is fit into the supporting substrate13A in a manufacturing process.

The plurality of connection terminals 13C penetrate through at least thesupporting substrate 13A. Terminals (hereinafter referred to asterminals “alpha” for convenience sake) except for one or more terminalsof the plurality of connection terminals 13C are electrically connectedto respective electrodes (not illustrated) of the chips 11A. Forexample, the terminals “alpha” protrude long on the outer framesubstrate 13B side, and protrude short on the supporting substrate 13Aside. Moreover, a terminal (hereinafter referred to as terminal “beta”for convenience sake) other than the above-described terminals “alpha”of the plurality of connection terminals 13C is electrically connectedto the other electrodes (not illustrated) of all of the chips 11A. Forexample, the terminal “beta” protrudes long on the outer frame substrate13B side, and, for example, an end located closer to the supportingsubstrate 13A of the terminal “beta” is embedded in the supportingsubstrate 13A. A portion protruding long on the outer frame substrate 13side of each of the connection terminals 13C corresponds to a portionfit in, for example, a substrate or the like. On the other hand,portions protruding short on the supporting substrate 13A side of theplurality of connection terminals 13C correspond to portionselectrically connected to the respective chips 11A through wires 16.Portions embedded in the supporting substrate 13A of the plurality ofconnection terminals 13C correspond to, for example, portionselectrically connected to all of the chips 11A through the supportingsubstrate 13 and the submount 15. The terminals “alpha” are supported bythe insulating through holes formed in the supporting substrate 13A andthe outer frame substrate 13B, and are insulated and separated from thesupporting substrate 13A and the outer frame substrate 13B by thethrough holes. Moreover, the terminals “alpha” are insulated andseparated from one another by the above-described insulating members. Onthe other hand, the terminal “beta” is supported by the conductivethrough holes formed in the supporting substrate 13A and the outer framesubstrate 13B, and is electrically connected to the through holes.

The cap 14 seals the solid-state light-emitting device 11. The cap 14has, for example, a cylindrical section 14A having openings in upper andlower ends thereof. The lower end of the cylindrical section 14A is incontact with, for example, a side surface of the supporting substrate13A, and the solid-state light-emitting device 11 is disposed in aninner space of the cylindrical section 14A. The cap 14 has a lighttransmission window 14B which is so disposed as to block the opening onthe upper end of the cylindrical section 14A. The light transmissionwindow 14B is disposed in a position facing a light emission surface ofthe solid-state light-emitting device 11, and has a function of allowinglight output from the solid-state light-emitting device 11 to passtherethrough.

Thus, also in the case where the chip 11A is of an edge-emission type,the solid-state light-emitting device 11 emits light from the lightemission region including one or more dot-shaped or non-dot-shapedlight-emitting spots. The solid-state light-emitting device 11 mayinclude, for example, a single chip 11A emitting light in apredetermined wavelength range, or a plurality of chips 11A emittinglight in a same wavelength range or light in wavelength ranges differentfrom one another. In the case where the solid-state light-emittingdevice 11 includes a plurality of chips 11A, for example, these chips11A may be arranged in a line in the transverse direction as illustratedin FIGS. 7(A), 7(B), 8(A) and 8(B), or may be arranged, for example, ina line in the longitudinal direction as illustrated in FIGS. 10(A),10(B), 11(A), and 11(B). The number of chips 11A included in thesolid-state light-emitting device 11 may be different in each of thelight sources 10A, 10B, and 10C, or may be the same in all of the lightsources 10A, 10B, and 10C.

In the case where the solid-state light-emitting device 11 includes thesingle chip 11A, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 9(B) and 12(B),the size (W_(V)×W_(H)) of the solid-state light-emitting device 11 isequal to the size (W_(V1)×W_(H1)) of the single chip 11A. However, forexample, as illustrated in FIGS. 9(C) and 12(C), in the case where thesolid-state light-emitting device 1 has a monolithic configuration, theconfiguration is as described below, and this applies to the followingdescription. Namely, in an example in FIG. 9(C), the size (W_(V)×W_(H))of the solid-state light-emitting device 11 is larger than W_(V1)×2W_(H1), and in an example in FIG. 12(C), the size (W_(V)×W_(H)) of thesolid-state light-emitting device 11 is larger than 2 W_(V1)×W_(H1). Onthe other hand, in the case where the solid-state light-emitting device11 includes a plurality of chips 11A, for example, as illustrated inFIGS. 7(B), 8(B), 10(B), and 11(B), the size of the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 is equal to the size of a package into whichall of the chips 11A are gathered. In the case where the plurality ofchips 11A are arranged in a line in the transverse direction, the size(W_(V)×W_(H)) of the solid-state light-emitting device 11 is larger thanW_(V1)×3 W_(H1) in an example in FIG. 7(B), and is larger than W_(V1)×2W_(H1) in an example in FIG. 8(B). Moreover, in the case where theplurality of chips 11A are arranged in a line in the longitudinaldirection, for example, the size (W_(V)×W_(H)) of the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 is larger than 3 W_(V1)×W_(H1) in an example inFIG. 10(B), and is larger than 2 W_(V1)×W_(H1) in an example in FIG.11(B).

Each of the chips 11A may be configured of, for example, a laser diode(LD). However, also in this case, as described above, at least one ofthe chips 11A included in the light sources 10A, 10B, and 10C may beconfigured of an LD. Moreover, the chips 11A other than the chip 11Aconfigured of the LD may be configured of any of an LED, an OLED, and anLD.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B) to FIGS. 12(A),12(B), and 12(C), each of the chips 11A has a light-emitting spot 11Bwith a smaller size (P_(V1)×P_(H1)) than the size (W_(V)×W_(H)) of thechip 11A. The light-emitting spot 11B corresponds to a region (a lightemission region) from which the chip 11A emits light when a current isinjected into the chip 11A to drive the chip 11A. In the case where thechip 11A is configured of an LD, the light-emitting spot 11B has asmaller dot shape than the light-emitting spot 11B of the LED or theOLED.

In the case where the solid-state light-emitting device 11 includes asingle chip 11A, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 9(B) and 12(B),the number of light-emitting spots 11B is one. However, for example, asillustrated in FIGS. 9(C) and 12(C), in the case where the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 has a monolithic configuration, the number oflight-emitting spots 11B is two or more (two in this case), and thisapplies to the following description. On the other hand, in the casewhere the solid-state light-emitting device 11 includes a plurality ofchips 11A, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 7(B), 8(B), 10(B), and11(B), the number of the light-emitting spots 11B is equal to the numberof chips 11A. In this case, in the case where the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 includes the single chip 11A, the size(P_(V)×P_(H)) of the light emission region of the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 is equal to the size (P_(V1)×P_(H1)) of thelight-emitting spot 11B. However, for example, as illustrated in anexample in FIGS. 9(C) and 12(C), in the case where the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 has a monolithic configuration, theconfiguration is as described below, and this applies the followingdescription. Namely, in an example in FIG. 9(C), the size (P_(V)×P_(H))of the light emission region of the solid-state light-emitting device 11is larger than P_(V1)×2 P_(H1), and is smaller than W_(V)×W_(H).Moreover, in an example in FIG. 12(C), the size (P_(V)×P_(H)) of thelight emission region of the solid-state light-emitting device 11 islarger than 2 P_(V1)×P_(H1), and is smaller than W_(V)×W_(H). On theother hand, in the case where the solid-state light-emitting device 11includes a plurality of chips 11A, the size (P_(V)×P_(H)) of the lightemission region of the solid-state light-emitting device 11 is equal tothe size of a smallest possible enclosure containing the light-emittingspots 11B of all of the chips 11A. In the case where the plurality ofchips 11A are arranged in a line in the transverse direction, in anexample in FIG. 7(B), the size (P_(V)×P_(H)) of the light emissionregion is larger than P_(V1)×3 P_(H1), and is smaller than W_(V)×W_(H).Likewise, in an example in FIG. 8(B), the size (P_(V)×P_(H)) of thelight emission region is larger than P_(V1)×2 P_(H1), and is smallerthan W_(V)×W_(H). Moreover, in the case where the plurality of chips 11Aare arranged in a line in the longitudinal direction, in an example inFIG. 10(B), the size (P_(V)×P_(H)) of the light emission region islarger than 3 P_(V1)×P_(H1), and is smaller than W_(V)×W_(H). Likewise,in an example in FIG. 11(B), the size (P_(V)×P_(H)) of the lightemission region is larger than 2 P_(V1)×P_(H1), and is smaller thanW_(V)×W_(H).

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B), the coupling lens20A converts light emitted from the light source 10A into substantiallyparallel light, and changes a directivity angle (theta_(H), theta_(V))of the light emitted from the light source 10A to be equal to or closeto a directivity angle of parallel light. The coupling lens 20A isdisposed in a position where light within the directivity angle of thelight emitted from the light source 10A enters. For example, asillustrated in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B), the coupling lens 20B converts lightemitted from the light source 10B into substantially parallel light, andchanges a directivity angle (theta_(H), theta_(V)) of the light emittedfrom the light source 10B to be equal to or close to the directivityangle of parallel light. The coupling lens 20B is disposed in a positionwhere light within the directivity angle of the light emitted from thelight source 10B enters. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 2(A) and2(B), the coupling lens 20C converts light emitted from the light source10C into substantially parallel light, and changes a directivity angle(theta_(H), theta_(V)) of the light emitted from the light source 10C tobe equal to or close to the directivity angle of parallel light. Thecoupling lens 20C is disposed in a position where light within thedirectivity angle of the light emitted from the light source 10C enters.In other words, the coupling lenses 20A, 20B, and 20C are disposed forthe light sources 10A, 10B, and 10C, respectively (for respectivepackages). It is to be noted that each of the coupling lenses 20A, 20B,and 20C may be configured of a single lens, or a plurality of lenses.

Each of the dichroic mirrors 30A and 30B includes one mirror havingwavelength selectivity. It is to be noted that, for example, theabove-described mirror is formed through evaporating a multilayerinterference film. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B),the dichroic mirror 30A allows light incident from a back side of themirror (light incident from the light source 10A) to pass toward a frontside of the mirror, and reflects light incident from the front side ofthe mirror (light incident from the light source 10B) by the mirror. Onthe other hand, as illustrated in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B), the dichroicmirror 30B allows light incident from a back side of the mirror (lightof the light sources 10A and 10B incident from the dichroic mirror 30A)to pass to a front side of the mirror, and reflects light incident fromthe front side of the mirror (light incident from the light source 10C)by the mirror. Therefore, the optical path combining device 30 combinesrespective light fluxes emitted from the light sources 10A, 10B, and 10Cinto a single light flux.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 13(A) and 13(B), each of thefly-eye lenses 40A and 40B is configured of a plurality of lenses(cells) arranged in a predetermined arrangement (in this case, a matrixof 5 (vertical)×5 (horizontal)). In other words, the cells in each ofthe fly-eye lens 40A and the fly-eye lens 40B are arranged alongrespective arrangement directions, that is, the transverse direction(the x-axis direction, a first direction) and the longitudinal direction(the y-axis direction, a second direction) orthogonal to each other. Aplurality of respective cells 42 included in the fly-eye lens 40B are soarranged as to face respective cells 41 of the fly-eye lens 40A. Thefly-eye lens 40A (a first fly-eye lens) is disposed in a focal position(or a substantial focal position) of the fly-eye lens 40B, and thefly-eye lens 40B is disposed in a focal position (or a substantial focalposition) of the fly-eye lens 40A. Therefore, the integrator 40 allowslight fluxes formed through separating the single light flux by thefly-eye lens 40A to be focused on proximity to a lens plane on an imageside of the fly-eye lens 40B, thereby forming a secondary light sourceplane (a light source image) thereon. The secondary light source planeis located on a plane conjugate to an entrance pupil of the projectionoptical system 70. However, the secondary light source plane is notnecessarily precisely located on the plane conjugate to the entrancepupil of the projection optical system 70, and may be located within adesign allowable region. It is to be noted that the fly-eye lenses 40Aand 40B may be integrally formed as one unit.

In general, each of light fluxes emitted from the light sources 10A,10B, and 10C have a nonuniform intensity distribution (luminancedistribution) on a plane perpendicular to a traveling direction thereof.Therefore, when these light fluxes are directly guided to theillumination region 60A (the illuminated surface), an illuminancedistribution (a luminance distribution) in the illumination region 60Abecomes nonuniform. On the other hand, as described above, when lightfluxes emitted from the light sources 10A, 10B, and 10C are separated bythe integrator 40 into a plurality of light fluxes, and the plurality oflight fluxes are guided to the illumination region 60A in a superimposedmanner, the illuminance distribution on the illumination region 60A isallowed to become uniform (nonuniformity of the illuminationdistribution is allowed to be reduced).

The condenser lens 50 condenses the light fluxes, from light sources,formed by the integrator 40 to illuminate the illumination region 60Awith the light fluxes in a superimposed manner.

The spatial modulating device 60 two-dimensionally modulates lightfluxes from the illumination optical system 1A based on color imagesignals corresponding to respective wavelength components of the lightsources 10A, 10B, and 10C to generate image light. For example, asillustrated in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B), the spatial modulating device 60 isa transmissive device, and may be configured of, for example, atransmissive liquid crystal panel.

[Configuration of Characteristic Parts of Projector 1]

Next, characteristic parts of the projector 1 according to thisembodiment will be described below.

(First Characteristic Part)

First, in this embodiment, the chip 11A included in one or two of thelight sources 10A, 10B, and 10C is configured of an LD (for example, asemiconductor laser). Therefore, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 14,laser light emitted from the light-emitting spot 11B in the chip 11configured of the LD has a luminance distribution shape with a steepfar-field pattern (FFP). In other words, in this laser light, the FFPhas an anisotropic shape (an elliptical shape in this case) (refer to areference numeral P10 in FIG. 14) rather than a circular (isotropic)shape.

Then, in this embodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 15(A) and15(B), a major-axis direction of a shape (luminance distribution shape)of a luminance distribution Lind of light incident on an incident plane(a light incident plane) of the fly-eye lens 40A is different fromarrangement directions of the cells 41 of the fly-eye lens 40A. Morespecifically, each of the major-axis direction and a minor-axisdirection of the luminance distribution Lind of the incident light isdifferent from the arrangement directions (the transverse direction (thex-axis direction) and the longitudinal direction (the y-axis direction))of the cells 41. In other words, as illustrated in FIGS. 15(A) and15(B), the major-axis direction of the luminance distribution Lind andany (the x-axis direction in this case) of the arrangement directions ofthe cells 41 are not coincident with each other, and form apredetermined angle (inclination angle or rotation angle) “theta”.Therefore, as will be described in detail later, luminance unevenness inincident light is easily reduced in the integrator 40. Moreover, forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 15(A), it is preferable that the angle“theta” be set to be substantially equal to (preferably equal to) anangle formed by an entire length (period) in the transverse direction ofthe fly-eye lens 40A and a size h_(FEL1V) in the longitudinal directionof the cell 41. In other words, the angle “theta” preferably satisfiesthe following relational expression. Thus, as will be described indetail later, luminance unevenness in incident light is easily reducedin the integrator 40. It is to be noted that, as will be described indetail later (refer to FIGS. 21(A) and 21(B)), the term “shape(luminance distribution shape) of the luminance distribution Lind ofincident light” illustrated in FIGS. 15(A), 15(B), and the like refersto a shape of a contour line (isophote) representing a predeterminedintensity value (luminance value), and this applies to the followingdescription.“theta”=tan⁻¹ [h _(FEL1V)/(h _(FEL1H) ×n _(H))]where h_(FEL1H) is a size in the first direction of one cell 41 of thefly-eye lens 40A,

h_(FEL1V) is a size in the second direction of one cell 41 of thefly-eye lens 40A, and

n_(H) is the number (cell number) of cells 41 arranged along the firstdirection in the fly-eye lens 40A.

In this case, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 16, inclination(rotation) of the major-axis direction of such a luminance distributionLind with respect to the arrangement direction of the cells 41 isachievable through inclining (rotating) the light sources 10A, 10B, and10C, and the like. In other words, the inclination (rotation) of themajor-axis direction of the luminance distribution Lind with respect tothe arrangement direction of the cells 41 is achievable through rotatingthe chip 11A itself configured of an LD, rotating the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 including the chip 11A configured of an LD, orrotating the light sources 10A, 10B, and 10C, or the like. Morespecifically, in these cases, the chip 11A configured of an LD is soinclined (rotated) as to allow the major-axis direction (and theminor-axis direction) of an FFP of laser light emitted from thelight-emitting spot 11B of the chip 11A configured of an LD to bedifferent from both the longitudinal direction and the transversedirection (the first and second directions) of the fly-eye lens 40A.However, the inclination (rotation) of the major-axis direction of theluminance distribution Lind with respect to the arrangement direction ofthe cells 41 is not limited to this example, and may be achieved, forexample, through inclining (rotating) any other optical member (forexample, the coupling lenses 20A, 20B, and 20C, the dichroic mirrors 30Aand 30B, or the like) in the illumination optical system 1A.

(Second Characteristic Part)

Moreover, in this embodiment, in a case where a plurality oflight-emitting spots 11B are provided to the chip 11A configured of anLD in at least one (a first light source) of the light sources 10A, 10B,and 10C, the following configuration is preferably adopted. In otherwords, a minor-axis direction of an FFP of light emitted from each ofthe light-emitting spots 11B is preferably substantially coincident(preferably coincident) with a minor-axis direction (the y-axisdirection in this case) in a plane (an xy plane in this case) orthogonalto an optical axis (the z-axis direction in this case) of theabove-described optical member (the integrator 40 in this case). Inother words, in the above-described first light source, the minor-axisdirection of the FFP of light emitted from each of the light-emittingspots 11B is preferably substantially coincident (preferably coincident)with a minor-axis direction of an outer shape (for example, arectangular enclosure) of the projector 1. Moreover, in a case where theabove-described first light source emits light in two or more wavelengthranges different from one another, major-axis directions of FFPs oflight in these two or more wavelength ranges emitted from each of thelight-emitting spots 11B are preferably substantially coincident(preferably coincident) with one another.

More specifically, in an example illustrated in FIG. 17(A), in theabove-described first light source, two chips 11A-1 and 11A-2 configuredof LDs are included, and light-emitting spots (near field patterns;NFPs) 11B-1 and 11B-2 each including an active layer 110 are includedaccordingly. On the other hand, in an example in FIG. 17(B) (in anexample of the above-described monolithic configuration), in theabove-described first light source, one chip 11A configured of an LD isincluded, and two light-emitting spots 11B-1 and 11B-2 are provided tothe chip 11A. Then, in this case, light in a same wavelength range orlight in wavelength ranges different from each other is emitted from thelight-emitting spots 11B-1 and 11B-2. In this case, each of minor-axisdirections (the y-axis direction in this case) of FFPs (refer toreference numerals P11, P12, P21, and P22 in the drawings) of lightemitted from the light-emitting spots 11B-1 and 11B-2 is coincident witha minor-axis direction (the y-axis direction in this case) in a planeorthogonal to the optical axis of the integrator 40. Moreover, themajor-axis directions (the x-axis direction in this case) of the FFPs oflight emitted from the light-emitting spots 11B-1 and 11B-2 arecoincident with each other.

(Third Characteristic Part)

Further, in this embodiment, it is preferable that focal lengths of thecoupling lenses 20A, 20B, and 20C and focal lengths of the fly-eyelenses 40A and 40B be so determined as to allow a size of each lightsource image S formed on the fly-eye lens 40B by each cell 41 of thefly-eye lens 40A not to exceed a size of one cell 42 of the fly-eye lens40B. This is represented by the following expressions (1) to (3).Moreover, this is as schematically illustrated in FIG. 18. FIG. 18illustrates an example in which each of the cells of the fly-eye lenses40A and 40B has a horizontal-to-vertical ratio (aspect ratio) of otherthan 1. It is to be noted that FIG. 18 will be described in detaillater.h ₁ =P ₁*(f _(FEL) /f _(CL1))=/<h _(FEL2)  (1)h ₂ =P ₂*(f _(FEL) /f _(CL2))=/<h _(FEL2)  (2)h ₃ =P ₃*(f _(FEL) /f _(CL3))=/<h _(FEL2)  (3)

where h₁ is a size of a light source image S (a light source image S₁)formed by light from the light source 10A,

h₂ is a size of a light source image S (a light source image S₂) formedby light from the light source 10B,

h₃ is a size of a light source image S (a light source image S₃) formedby light from the light source 10C,

P₁ is a size of a light emission region of the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 included in the light source 10A,

P₂ is a size of a light emission region of the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 included in the light source 10B,

P₃ is a size of a light emission region of the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 included in the light source 10C,

f_(FEL) is a focal length of each of the fly-eye lenses 40A and 40B,

f_(CL1) is a focal length of the coupling lens 20A,

f_(CL2) is a focal length of the coupling lens 20B,

f_(CL3) is a focal length of the coupling lens 20C, and

h_(FEL2) is a size of one cell 42 of the fly-eye lens 40B.

It is to be noted that, in a case where the solid-state light-emittingdevice 11 included in the light source 10A includes a single chip 11A,P₁ is equal to the size of the light-emitting spot 11B of the chip 11A.Likewise, in a case where the solid-state light-emitting device 11included in the light source 10B includes a single chip 11A, P₂ is equalto the size of the light-emitting spot 11B of the chip 11A, and in acase where the solid-state light-emitting device 11 included in thelight source 10C includes a single chip 11A, P₃ is equal to the size ofthe light-emitting sport 11B of the chip 11A. In a case where thesolid-state light-emitting device 11 included in the light source 10Aincludes a plurality of chips 11A, P₁ is equal to a size of a smallestpossible enclosure containing the light-emitting spots 11B of all of thechips 11A. Likewise, in a case where the solid-state light-emittingdevice 11 included in the light source 10B includes a plurality of chips11A, P₂ is equal to the size of the smallest possible enclosurecontaining the light-emitting spots 11B of all of the chips 11A. In acase where the solid-state light-emitting device 11 included in thelight source 10C includes a plurality of chips 11A, P₃ is equal to thesize of the smallest possible enclosure containing the light-emittingspots 11B. Moreover, in a case where the coupling lens 20A is configuredof a plurality of lenses, f_(CL1) is a combined focal length of thelenses. Likewise, in a case where the coupling lens 20B is configured ofa plurality of lenses, f_(CL2) is a combined focal length of the lenses.In a case where the coupling lens 20C is configured of a plurality oflenses, f_(CL3) is a combined focal length of the lenses.

Here, as expressions substantially equivalent to the above-describedexpressions (1) to (3), the following expressions (4) to (6) may beestablished. The expressions (4) to (6) are specifically useful in acase where the size of the light emission region of the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 is substantially equal to the size of thesolid-state light-emitting device 11.h ₁ =W ₁*(f _(FEL) /f _(CL1))=/<h _(FEL2)  (4)h ₂ =W ₂*(f _(FEL) /f _(CL2))=/<h _(FEL2)  (5)h ₃ =W ₃*(f _(FEL) /f _(CL3))=/<h _(FEL2)  (6)

where W₁ is a size of the solid-state light-emitting device 11 includedin the light source 10A,

W₂ is a size of the solid-state light-emitting device 11 included in thelight source 10B, and

W₃ is a size of the solid-state light-emitting device 11 included in thelight source 10C.

It is to be noted that, in a case where the solid-state light-emittingdevice 11 include a single chip 11A, W is equal to the size of the chip11A. Moreover, in a case where the solid-state light-emitting device 11includes a plurality of chips 11A, W is equal to a size of a singlechip, where a combination of all of the chips 11A is regarded as thesingle chip.

Incidentally, in this embodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIGS.13(A) and 13(B), in a case where each of the cells 41 and 42 of thefly-eye lenses 40A and 40B has a horizontal-to-vertical ratio (aspectratio) of other than 1, the focal lengths of the coupling lenses 20A,20B, and 20C and the focal lengths of the fly-eye lenses 40A and 40Bpreferably satisfy the following six relational expressions (expressions(7) to (12)). Moreover, it is preferable that each of ratios(f_(CL1H)/f_(CL1V), f_(CL2H)/f_(CL2V), and f_(CL3H)/f_(CL3V))(anamorphic ratios) of vertical and horizontal focal lengths of thecoupling lenses 20A, 20B, and 20C be equal to an inverse(h_(FEL2V)/h_(FEL2H)) of a horizontal-to-vertical ratio of the size ofeach of the cells 42 of the fly-eye lens 40B, and the illuminationoptical system 1A adopt an anamorphic optical system. For example, in acase where each of the cells 42 of the fly-eye lens 40B has a long shapein the first direction (for example, the transverse direction), as thecoupling lenses 20A, 20B, and 20C, coupling lenses in which the focallengths f_(CL1V), f_(CL2V), and f_(CL3V) are longer than the focallengths f_(CL1H), f_(CL2H), and f_(CL3H), respectively, are used. Thefollowing expressions (7) to (12) are as schematically illustrated inFIG. 18.h _(1H) =P _(1H)*(f _(FELH) /f _(CL1H))=/<h _(FEL2H)  (7)h _(2H) =P _(2H)*(f _(FELH) /f _(CL2H))=/<h _(FEL2H)  (8)h _(3H) =P _(3H)*(f _(FELH) /f _(CL3H))=/<h _(FEL2H)  (9)h _(1V) =P _(1V)*(f _(FELV) /f _(CL1V))=/<h _(FEL2V)  (10)h _(2V) =P _(2V)*(f _(FELV) /f _(CL2V))=/<h _(FEL2V)  (11)h _(3V) =P _(3V)*(f _(FELV) /f _(CL3V))=/<h _(FEL2V)  (12)

where h_(1H) is a size in the first direction (for example, thetransverse direction) of the light source image S (the light sourceimage S₁) formed by light from the light source 10A,

h_(2H) is a size in the first direction (for example, the transversedirection) of the light source image S (the light source image S₂)formed by light from the light source 10B,

h_(3H) is a size in the first direction (for example, the transversedirection) of the light source image S (the light source image S₃)formed by light from the light source 10C,

h_(1V) is a size in the second direction (for example, the longitudinaldirection) orthogonal to the first direction of the light source image S(the light source image S₁) formed by light from the light source 10A,

h_(2V) is a size in the second direction (for example, the longitudinaldirection) orthogonal to the first direction of the light source image S(the light source image S₂) formed by light from the light source 10B,

h_(3V) is a size in the second direction (for example, the longitudinaldirection) orthogonal to the first direction of the light source image S(the light source image S₃) formed by light from the light source 10C,

P_(1H) is a size in the first direction or a direction correspondingthereto of the light emission region of the solid-state light-emittingdevice 11 included in the light source 10A,

P_(2H) is a size in the first direction or a direction correspondingthereto of the light emission region of the solid-state light-emittingdevice 11 included in the light source 10B,

P_(3H) is a size in the first direction or a direction correspondingthereto of the light emission region of the solid-state light-emittingdevice 11 included in the light source 10C,

P_(1V) is a size in the second direction or a direction correspondingthereto of the light emission region of the solid-state light-emittingdevice 11 included in the light source 10A,

P_(2V) is a size in the second direction or a direction correspondingthereto of the light emission region of the solid-state light-emittingdevice 11 included in the light source 10B,

P_(3V) is a size in the second direction or a direction correspondingthereto of the light emission region of the solid-state light-emittingdevice 11 included in the light source 10C,

f_(FELH) is a focal length in the first direction of each of the fly-eyelenses 40A and 40B,

f_(FELV) is a focal length in the second direction of the fly-eye lenses40A and 40B,

f_(CL1H) is a focal length in the first direction or a directioncorresponding thereto of the coupling lens 20A,

f_(CL2H) is a focal length in the first direction or a directioncorresponding thereto of the coupling lens 20B,

f_(CL3H) is a focal length in the first direction or a directioncorresponding thereto of the coupling lens 20C,

f_(CL1V) is a focal length in the second direction or a directioncorresponding thereto of the coupling lens 20A,

f_(CL2V) is a focal length in the second direction or a directioncorresponding thereto of the coupling lens 20B,

f_(CL3V) is a focal length in the second direction or a directioncorresponding thereto of the coupling lens 20C,

h_(FEL2H) is a size in the first direction of one cell 42 of the fly-eyelens 40B, and

h_(FEL2V) is a size in the second direction of one cell 42 of thefly-eye lens 40B.

As used herein, the term “first direction or a direction correspondingthereto” refers to the first direction in a case where the light sources10A, 10B, and 10C, and the coupling lenses 20A, 20B, and 20C arearranged along an optical axis of the integrator 40. Meanwhile, the term“first direction or a direction corresponding thereto” refers to adirection corresponding to the first direction in relation to an layoutof optical devices arranged along optical paths from the light sources10A, 10B, and 10C to the integrator 40, in a case where the lightsources 10A, 10B, and 10C and the coupling lenses 20A, 20B, and 20C arearranged along an optical path deviated from the optical axis of theintegrator 40.

Moreover, the term “second direction or a direction correspondingthereto” refers to the second direction in a case where the lightsources 10A, 10B, and 10C, and the coupling lenses 20A, 20B, and 20C arearranged along an optical axis of the integrator 40. Meanwhile, the term“second direction or a direction corresponding thereto” refers to adirection corresponding to the second direction in relation to thelayout of optical devices arranged along the optical paths from thelight sources 10A, 10B, and 10C to the integrator 40, in a case wherethe light sources 10A, 10B, and 10C and the coupling lenses 20A, 20B,and 20C are arranged along the optical path deviated from the opticalaxis of the integrator 40.

It is to be noted that, in a case where the solid-state light-emittingdevice 11 included in the light source 10A includes a single chip 11A,P_(1H) is equal to a size in the first direction or a directioncorresponding thereto of the light-emitting spot 11B of the chip 11A.Likewise, in a case where the solid-state light-emitting device 11included in the light source 10B includes a single chip 11A, P_(2H) isequal to a size in the first direction or a direction correspondingthereto of the light-emitting spot 11B of the chip 11A. In a case wherethe solid-state light-emitting device 11 included in the light source10C includes a single chip 11A, P_(3H) is equal to a size in the firstdirection or a direction corresponding thereto of the light-emittingspot 11B of the chip 11A. Moreover, in a case where the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 included in the light source 10A includes aplurality of chips 11A, P_(1H) is equal to a size in the first directionor a direction corresponding thereto of a smallest possible enclosurecontaining the light-emitting spots 11B of all of the chips 11A.Likewise, in a case where the solid-state light-emitting device 11included in the light source 10B includes a plurality of chips 11A,P_(2H) is equal to a size in the first direction or a directioncorresponding thereto of a smallest possible enclosure containing thelight-emitting spots 11B of all of the chips 11A. In a case where thesolid-state light-emitting device 11 included in the light source 10Cincludes a plurality of chips 11A, P_(3H) is equal to a size in thefirst direction or a direction corresponding thereto of a smallestpossible enclosure containing the light-emitting spots 11B of all of thechips 11A. Meanwhile, in a case where the solid-state light-emittingdevice 11 included in the light source 10A includes a single chip 11A,P_(1V) is equal to a size in the second reaction or a directioncorresponding thereto of the light-emitting spot 11B of the chip 11.Likewise, in a case where the solid-state light-emitting device 11included in the light source 10B includes a single chip 11A, P_(2V) isequal to a size in the second direction or a direction correspondingthereto of the light-emitting spot 11B of the chip 11A. In a case wherethe solid-stage light-emitting device 11 included in the light source10C includes a single chip 11A, P_(3V) is equal to a size in the seconddirection or a direction corresponding thereto of the light-emittingspot 11B of the chip 11A. Moreover, in a case where the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 included in the light source 10A includes aplurality of chips 11A, P_(1V) is equal to a size in the seconddirection or a direction corresponding thereto of a smallest possibleenclosure containing the light-emitting spots 11B of all of the chips11A. Likewise, in a case where the solid-state light-emitting device 11included in the light source 10B includes a plurality of chips 11A,P_(2V) is equal to a size in the second direction or a directioncorresponding thereto of a smallest possible enclosure containing thelight-emitting spots 11B of all of the chips 11A. In a case where thesolid-state light-emitting device 11 included in the light source 10Cincludes a plurality of chips 11A, P_(3V) is equal to a size in thesecond direction or a direction corresponding thereto of a smallestpossible enclosure containing the light-emitting spots 11B of all of thechips 11A.

Further, in this embodiment, in a case where each of the cells 41 and 42of the fly-eye lenses 40A and 40B has a horizontal-to-vertical ratio ofother than 1, a horizontal-to-vertical ratio of the size of each of thecells 41 of the fly-eye lens 40A and a horizontal-to-vertical ratio ofthe illumination region 60A preferably satisfy the following relationalexpression (an expression (13)). Herein, a horizontal-to-vertical ratioH/V (refer to FIG. 19) of the illumination region 60A has a correlationwith resolution of the spatial modulating device 50, and in a case wherethe resolution of the spatial modulating device 60 is VGA (640*480), thehorizontal-to-vertical ratio H/V is 640/480, and for example, in a casewhere the resolution of the spatial modulating device 60 is WVGA(800*480), the horizontal-to-vertical ratio H/V is 800/480.h _(FEL1H) /h _(FEL1V) =H/V  (13)

where h_(FEL1H) is a size in the first direction of one cell of thefly-eye lens 40A,

h_(FEL1V) is a size in the second direction of one cell of the fly-eyelens 40A,

H is a size in the first direction of the illumination region 60A, and

V is a size in the second direction of the illumination region 60A.

(Fourth Characteristic Part)

In addition, in this embodiment, the focal lengths and numericalapertures of the coupling lenses 20A, 20B, and 20C are preferably sodetermined as to allow a beam size of light incident on each of thecoupling lenses 20A, 20B, and 20C not to exceed the size of each of thecoupling lenses 20A, 20B, and 20C. This is represented by the followingexpressions (14) to (16).phi _(CL1)=2*f _(CL1) *NA ₁ =/<h _(CL1)  (14)phi _(CL2)=2*f _(CL2) *NA ₂ =/<h _(CL2)  (15)phi _(CL3)=2*f _(CL3) *NA ₃ =/<h _(CL3)  (16)

where phi_(CL1) is a beam size of light incident on the coupling lens20A,

phi_(CL2) is a beam size of light incident on coupling lens 20B,

phi_(CL3) is a beam size of light incident on the coupling lens 20C,

NA₁ is a numerical aperture of the coupling lens 20A,

NA₂ is a numerical aperture of the coupling lens 20B,

NA₃ is a numerical aperture of the coupling lens 20C,

h_(CL1) is a size of the coupling lens 20A,

h_(CL2) is a size of the coupling lens 20B, and

h_(CL3) is a size of the coupling lens 20C.

Incidentally, in this embodiment, in a case where each of the couplinglenses 20A, 20B, and 20C has a horizontal-to-vertical ratio (aspectratio) of other than 1, the focal lengths and the numerical apertures ofthe coupling lenses 20A, 20B, and 20C preferably satisfy the followingrelational expressions (expressions (17) to (22)).phi _(CL1H)=2*f _(CL1H) *NA _(1H) =/<h _(CL1H)  (17)phi _(CL2H)=2*f _(CL2H) *NA _(2H) =/<h _(CL2H)  (18)phi _(CL3H)=2*f _(CL3H) *NA _(3H) =/<h _(CL3H)  (19)phi _(CL1V)=2*f _(CL1V) *NA _(1V) =/<h _(CL1V)  (20)phi _(CL2V)=2*f _(CL2V) *NA _(2V) =/<h _(CL2V)  (21)phi _(CL3V)=2*f _(CL3V) *NA _(3V) =/<h _(CL3V)  (22)

where phi_(CL1H) is a beam size in the first direction (for example, thetransverse direction) or a direction corresponding thereto of lightincident on the coupling lens 20A,

phi_(CL2H) is a beam size in the first direction (for example, thetransverse direction) or a direction corresponding thereto of lightincident on the coupling lens 20B,

phi_(CL3H) is a beam size in the first direction (for example, thetransverse direction) or a direction corresponding thereto of lightincident on the coupling lens 20C,

phi_(CL1V) is a beam size in the second direction (for example, thelongitudinal direction) or a direction corresponding thereto of lightincident on the coupling lens 20A,

phi_(CL2V) is a beam size in the second direction (for example, thelongitudinal direction) or a direction corresponding thereto of lightincident on the coupling lens 20B,

phi_(CL3V) is a beam size in the second direction (for example, thelongitudinal direction) or a direction corresponding thereto of lightincident on the coupling lens 20C,

NA_(1H) is a numerical aperture in the first direction or a directioncorresponding thereto of the coupling lens 20A,

NA_(2H) is a numerical aperture in the first direction or a directioncorresponding thereto of the coupling lens 20B,

NA_(3H) is a numerical aperture in the first direction or a directioncorresponding thereto of the coupling lens 20C,

NA_(1V) is a numerical aperture in the second direction or a directioncorresponding thereto of the coupling lens 20A,

NA_(2V) is a numerical aperture in the second direction or a directioncorresponding thereto of the coupling lens 20B,

NA_(3V) is a numerical aperture in the second direction or a directioncorresponding thereto of the coupling lens 20C,

h_(CL1H) is a size in the first direction or a direction correspondingthereto of the coupling lens 20A,

h_(CL2H) is a size in the first direction or a direction correspondingthereto of the coupling lens 20B,

h_(CL3H) is a size in the first direction or a direction correspondingthereto of the coupling lens 20C,

h_(CL1V) is a size in the second direction or a direction correspondingthereto of the coupling lens 20A,

h_(CL2V) is a size in the second direction or a direction correspondingthereto of the coupling lens 20B, and

h_(CL3V) is a size in the second direction or a direction correspondingthereto of the coupling lens 20C.

(Functions and Effects of Projector 1)

Next, functions and effects of the projector 1 according to thisembodiment will be described below.

First, in this embodiment, at least one of the chips 11A included in thelight sources 10A, 10B, and 10C is configured of an LD. Therefore, forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 14, laser light emitted from thelight-emitting spot 11B in the chip 11A configured of the LD has aluminance distribution shape (an elliptical shape in this case) with asteep (anisotropic) FFP.

Moreover, in this embodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 15(A)and 15(B), the major-axis direction of the shape of the luminancedistribution Lind of light incident on the incident plane of the fly-eyelens 40A is different from the arrangement directions of the cells 41.More specifically, each of the major-axis direction and the minor-axisdirection of the luminance distribution Lind of the incident light isdifferent from the arrangement directions (the transverse direction (thex-axis direction) and the longitudinal direction (the y-axis direction))of the cells 41. Then, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 16,inclination (rotation) of the major-axis direction of such a luminancedistribution Lind with respect to the arrangement direction of the cells41 is achieved through inclining (rotating) the light sources 10A, 10B,and 10C, and the like. More specifically, the chip 11A configured of anLD is so inclined (rotated) as to allow the major-axis direction (andthe minor-axis direction) of the FFP of the laser light emitted from thelight-emitting spot 11B of the chip 11A configured of an LD to bedifferent from both the longitudinal direction and the transversedirection of the fly-eye lens 40A.

On the other hand, in a projector according to a comparative example,for example, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the major-axis direction of theshape of the luminance distribution Lind of light incident on theincident plane of the fly-eye lens 40A is coincident with thearrangement direction (the transverse direction (the x-axis direction)in this case) of the cells 41 in the fly-eye lens 40A. In other words,unlike this embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B), themajor-axis direction of the luminance distribution Lind and any (thex-axis direction in this case) of the arrangement directions of thecells 41 does not form the predetermined angle “theta” (where “theta”=0deg). As used herein, the term “shape (luminance distribution shape) ofthe luminance distribution Lind of incident light” illustrated in FIGS.15(A), 15(B), 20, and the like refers to a shape of a contour line(isophote) representing a predetermined intensity value (luminancevalue). More specifically, in a case where laser light emitted from thelight-emitting spot 11B of the chip 11A configured of an LD has, forexample, a steep luminance distribution as illustrated in FIGS. 21(A)and 21(B), the shape (luminance distribution shape) of the luminancedistribution Lind of incident light corresponds to a shape of anisophote with a luminance value indicated by a reference numeral P30 inFIG. 21(A).

In the projector according to such a comparative example, as describedabove, the following issue may occur due to a steep luminancedistribution shape of laser light emitted from the light-emitting spot11B of the chip 11A configured of an LD (for example, due to the FFP nothaving a circular (isotropic) shape (for example, having an ellipticalshape). In other words, in a case where the laser light has a too steepluminance distribution shape (for example, in a case where the luminancedistribution shape is steeper than the size of each of the cells 41 an42 of the fly-eye lenses 40A and 40B), luminance unevenness ofillumination light (incident light) may not be sufficiently reduced evenby a function of the integrator 40 (the luminance distribution may notbe uniformized). In this case, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 22,luminance unevenness in illumination light and image light (displaylight) occurs on the illumination region 60A and on the screen 2;therefore, display image quality may be degraded.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, as described above, themajor-axis direction of the luminance distribution Lind of lightincident on the incident plane of the fly-eye lens 40A is different fromthe arrangement directions of the cells 41 of the fly-eye lens 40A.Therefore, even if laser light emitted from a light source including thechip 11A configured of an LD has a steep luminance distribution shape(for example, the FFP does not have a circular (isotropic) shape (forexample, the FFP has an elliptical shape), luminance unevenness inincident light is easily reduced in the integrator 40. Morespecifically, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 23(A), the fly-eyelens 40A performs a light superimposition function in a plurality ofcells 41 including the shape of the luminance distribution Lind ofincident light; therefore, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 23(B),luminance unevenness in illumination light and display light iseffectively reduced. In other words, compared to the above-describedcomparative example, luminance unevenness in illumination light anddisplay light is reduced (in this example, the occurrence of luminanceunevenness is avoided), and in this embodiment, display image quality isimprovable accordingly.

In particular, in a case where the angle “theta” that the major-axisdirection of the luminance distribution Lind of incident light and any(the x-axis direction in this case) of the arrangement directions of thecells 41 form satisfies a relational expression“theta”=tan⁻¹[h_(FEL1V)/(h_(FEL1H)×n_(H))], luminance unevenness inillumination light and display light is allowed to be effectivelyreduced. It is because, in a case where the luminance distribution Lindof incident light extends over a plurality of cells 41 along thelongitudinal direction in the entire length (period) in the transversedirection of the fly-eye lens 40A, a same luminance distribution patternis repeated, and an effect of reducing luminance unevenness is notallowed to be maximized.

FIG. 24 illustrates an example of respective characteristics (arelationship between an aspect ratio in the illumination region 60A andthe above-described respective parameters n_(H), h_(FEL1H), h_(FEL1Y),and “theta”) in examples of this embodiment. It is found out from theseexamples that, when the angle “theta” is about 2.7° to about 7.1°, theeffect of reducing luminance unevenness is maximized in the integrator40.

Moreover, in this embodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 17(A)and 17(B), when the following configuration is adopted in a case where aplurality of light-emitting spots 11B are provided to the chip 11Aconfigured of an LD in at least one (the first light source) of thelight sources 10A, 10B, and 10C, the following functions and effects areproduced. Namely, first, in a case where a minor-axis direction of anFFP of light emitted from each of the light-emitting spots 11B issubstantially coincident with a minor-axis direction in a planeorthogonal to the optical axis of the integrator 40, the minor-axisdirection of the outer shape of the projector 1 and the minor-axisdirection of the above-described FFP are substantially coincident witheach other; therefore, downsizing of the entire projector 1 isachievable. Moreover, in a case where the above-described light sourceis a light source which emits light in two or more wavelength rangesdifferent from one another, and the major-axis directions of the FFPs oflight in these two or more wavelength ranges emitted from each of thelight-emitting spots 11B are substantially correspondent with oneanother, light loss is reduced with use of, for example, a lens cut intoan “I”-letter like shape. More specifically, when the lens cut into the“I”-letter like shape is used, even though an optical effective range ina portion removed through cutting the lens into the “I”-letter likeshape is sacrificed, light loss is allowed to be reduced throughaligning a major-axis direction of an emission angle of the LD with adirection where the lens is cut (a direction where an effective diameteris wide).

Further, in this embodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 18, ina case where the focal lengths f_(CL1), f_(CL2), and f_(CL3) of thecoupling lenses 20A, 20B, and 20C and the focal lengths f_(FEL) of thefly-eye lenses 40A and 40B are so determined as to allow the size ofeach light source image S formed on the fly-eye lens 40B by each cell 41of the fly-eye lens 40A not to exceed the size of one cell 42 of thefly-eye lens 40B, the following functions and effects are produced. Inthis case, the solid-state light-emitting device 11 emits light from alight emission region including one or more dot-shaped or non-dot-shapedlight-emitting spots, and is configured of, for example, one or morelight-emitting diodes, one or more organic EL light-emitting diodes, orone or more laser diodes. Therefore, even if the fly-eye lens 40B isdisposed in the focal position of the fly-eye lens 40A, each lightsource image S formed on the fly-eye lens 40B by each cell of thefly-eye lens 40A does not have a dot shape, but has a certain size(refer to FIG. 18). However, in this embodiment, one light source imageS is not formed over a plurality of cells, therefore, light incident onthe fly-eye lens 40B efficiently reaches the illumination region. Thus,light use efficiency in the illumination optical system 1A isimprovable.

In addition, in this embodiment, in a case where each of the cells ofthe fly-eye lenses 40A and 40B has a horizontal-to-vertical ratio ofother than 1, and the focal lengths f_(CL1H), f_(CL2H), f_(CL3H),f_(CL1V), f_(CL2V), and f_(CL3V) of the coupling lenses 20A, 20B, and20C and the focal lengths f_(FELH) and f_(FELV) of the fly-eye lenses40A and 40B are determined in consideration of thehorizontal-to-vertical ratio, light use efficiency in the illuminationoptical system 1A is further improvable. Moreover, in this embodiment,in a case where each of the coupling lenses 20A, 20B, and 20C has ahorizontal-to-vertical ratio of other than 1, and the focal lengthsf_(CL1H), f_(CL2H), f_(CL3H), f_(CL1V), f_(CL2V), and f_(CL3V) and thenumerical apertures NA_(1H), NA_(2H), NA_(3H), NA_(1V), NA_(2V) andNA_(3V) of the coupling lenses 20A, 20B, and 20C are determined inconsideration of the horizontal-to-vertical ratio, light use efficiencyin the illumination optical system 1A is further improvable. Further, inthis embodiment, in a case where directivity angles of the light sources10A, 10B, and 10C are different from one another, and the focal lengthsf_(CL1H), f_(CL2H), f_(CL3H), f_(CL1V), f_(CL2V), and f_(CL3V) and thenumerical apertures NA_(1H), NA_(2H), NA_(3H), NA_(1V), NA_(2V) andNA_(3V) of the coupling lenses 20A, 20B, and 20C are determined inconsideration of the respective directivity angles, light use efficiencyin the illumination optical system 1A is further improvable.

Next, other embodiments (second to fifth embodiments) of the presentdisclosure will be described below. It is to be noted that likecomponents are denoted by like numerals as of the above-described firstembodiment and will not be further described.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 25 illustrates a schematic configuration of a projector (aprojector 3) according to the second embodiment. It is to be noted thatthe projector 3 corresponds to a specific example of “projection displayunit” in the present disclosure. FIG. 25(A) illustrates a configurationexample of the projector 3 when viewed from above (from the y-axisdirection), and FIG. 25(B) illustrates a configuration example of theprojector 3 when viewed from a side thereof (from the x-axis direction).

The projector 3 according to this embodiment is different from theprojector 1 including the illumination optical system 1A in that theprojector 3 includes an illumination optical system 3A. Description willbe given of, mainly, points different from the projector 1, and pointscommon to the projector 1 will not be further described. It is to benoted that the illumination optical system 3A corresponds to a specificexample of “illumination unit” in the present disclosure.

(Configuration of Illumination Optical System 3A)

The illumination optical system 3A includes an integrator 43 including apair of fly-eye lenses 40C and 40D, instead of the integrator 40including a pair of fly-eye lenses 40A and 40B in the illuminationoptical system 1A. More specifically, the illumination optical system 3Aincludes the fly-eye lenses 40C and 40D which will be described below,instead of the fly-eye lenses 40A and 40B in the illumination opticalsystem 1A. It is to be noted that cells 41 and 42 of the fly-eye lenses40C and 40D are arranged corresponding to each other; therefore, thefly-eye lens 40C will be described below as a representative.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 26, the illumination optical system3A is different from the illumination optical system 1A (refer to FIG.16) in that the light sources 10A, 10B, and 10C and other opticalmembers are not inclined (rotated). Therefore, in the illuminationoptical system 3A, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 27, unlike theillumination optical system 1A (refer to FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B)) (as withthe comparative example illustrated in FIG. 20), in the fly-eye lens40C, the major-axis direction of the luminance distribution Lind ofincident light and the arrangement directions of the cells 41 are notinclined (rotated).

However, in the fly-eye lens 40C in the illumination optical system 3A,for example, as illustrated in FIG. 27, positions of the cells 41 alongthe longitudinal direction (the y-axis direction, the second direction)in at least some of a plurality of cell columns along the transversedirection (the x-axis direction, the first direction) are different fromone another. In other words, the fly-eye lens 40C in this embodiment hasa shift configuration in which the cell columns are shifted from oneanother along the minor-axis direction (the longitudinal direction)orthogonal to the major-axis direction (the transverse direction) of theluminance distribution Lind of incident light. More specifically, in anexample illustrated in FIG. 27, positions of the cells 41 along thetransverse direction in adjacent cell columns of the plurality of cellcolumns along the longitudinal direction are shifted in a same direction(by a shift amount: d). At this time, the shift amount d between theadjacent cell columns preferably satisfies the following relationalexpression.d=(h _(FEL1V) /n _(H))

where h_(FEL1V) is a size in the second direction of one cell 41 in thefly-eye lens 40C, and

n_(H) is the number (cell number) of cells 41 along the first directionin the fly-eye lens 40C.

(Functions and Effects of Projector 3)

In this embodiment with such a configuration, as with the firstembodiment, even if laser light emitted from the light source includingthe chip 11A configured of an LD has a steep luminance distributionshape, luminance unevenness in incident light is easily reduced in theintegrator 43. More specifically, for example, as illustrated in FIG.28(A), the fly-eye lens 40C performs a light superimposition function ina plurality of cells 41 including the shape of the luminancedistribution Lind of incident light; therefore, for example, asillustrated in FIG. 28(B), luminance unevenness in illumination lightand display light is effectively reduced. In other words, also in thisembodiment, luminance unevenness in illumination light and display lightis allowed to be reduced (in this example, the occurrence of luminanceunevenness is allowed to be avoided), and display image quality isimprovable accordingly.

In particular, in a case where the shift amount d between theabove-described adjacent cell columns satisfies the relationalexpression, d=(h_(FEL1V)/n_(H)), luminance unevenness in illuminationlight and display light is allowed to be reduced more effectively. It isbecause, as described in the first embodiment, in a case where theluminance distribution Lind of incident light extends over a pluralityof cells 41 along the longitudinal direction in the entire length(period) in the transverse direction of the fly-eye lens 40C, a sameluminance distribution pattern is repeated, and an effect of reducingluminance unevenness is not allowed to be maximized.

It is to be noted that the fly-eye lens 40C in this embodiment is notlimited to a configuration in which, as illustrated in FIGS. 27 and29(A), the cells 41 along the transverse direction in adjacent cellcolumns of the plurality of cell columns along the longitudinaldirection are shifted in a same direction, and the fly-eye lens 40C mayhave any other shift configuration. In other words, as long as thepositions of the cells 41 along the longitudinal direction in at leastsome of a plurality of cell columns along the transverse direction areshifted from one another, other shift configurations may be adopted.More specifically, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 29(B), cellcolumns adjacent in the transverse direction may be shifted by shiftamounts in different directions (upward and downward directions).Moreover, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 29(C), some cell columnsadjacent in the transverse direction may not be shifted from oneanother, and, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 29(D), the fly-eyelens 40C may have a staggered shift configuration (a zigzag shiftconfiguration) in which cell columns adjacent in the transversedirection are shifted in a staggered manner.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 30 illustrates a schematic configuration of a projector (aprojector 4) according to the third embodiment. It is to be noted thatthe projector 4 corresponds to a specific example of “projection displayunit” in the present disclosure. FIG. 30(A) illustrates a configurationexample of the projector 4 when viewed from above (from the y-axisdirection), and FIG. 30(B) illustrates a configuration example of theprojector 4 when viewed from a side thereof (from the x-axis direction).

The projector 4 according to this embodiment is different from theconfiguration of the projector 1 including the illumination opticalsystem 1A in that the projector 4 includes an illumination opticalsystem 4A. Description will be given of, mainly, points different fromthe projector 1, and points common to the projector 1 will not befurther described. It is to be noted that the illumination opticalsystem 4A corresponds to a specific example of “illumination unit” inthe present disclosure.

(Configuration of Illumination Optical System 4 a)

The illumination optical system 4A corresponds to the illuminationoptical system 1A in which an anamorphic lens 91 which will be describedbelow is disposed on an optical path between the optical path combiningdevice 30 and the integrator 40.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 31, the illumination optical system4A is different from the illumination optical system 1A (refer to FIG.16) in that the light sources 10A, 10B, and 10C and other opticalmembers are not inclined (rotated). Therefore, in the illuminationoptical system 4A, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 32, unlike theillumination optical system 1A (refer to FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B)) (as withthe comparative example illustrated in FIG. 20 and the illuminationoptical system 3A in the second embodiment), in the fly-eye lens 40A,the major-axis direction of the luminance distribution Lind of incidentlight and the arrangement directions of the cells 41 are not inclined(rotated).

For example, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 32, the anamorphic lens 91is an optical device which expands the shape of the luminancedistribution Lind of light incident on the fly-eye lens 40A along theminor-axis direction thereof (the longitudinal direction (the y-axisdirection, the second direction) in this case). The anamorphic lens 91is, for example, a cylindrical lens (a lenticular lens), and opticalcharacteristics (for example, a focal length) of the anamorphic lens 91is asymmetric in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction(the x-axis direction, the first direction). More specifically, in thiscase, a focal length in the transverse direction is relatively longerthan a focal length in the longitudinal direction (the focal length inthe longitudinal direction<the focal length in the transversedirection).

(Functions and Effects of Projector 4)

In this embodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 32, functionsand effects similar to those in the first embodiment and the like areobtained through expanding the shape of the luminance distribution Lindof light incident on the fly-eye lens 40A by the anamorphic lens 91. Inother words, even if laser light emitted from the light source includingthe chip 11A configured of an LD has a steep luminance distributionshape, luminance unevenness in incident light is easily reduced in theintegrator 40. Therefore, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 33, alsoin this embodiment, luminance unevenness in illumination light anddisplay light is allowed to be reduced (in this example, the occurrenceof luminance unevenness is allowed to be avoided), and display imagequality is improvable accordingly.

It is to be noted that, in this embodiment, an example in which theanamorphic lens 91 is provided as a single unit is described; however,the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and, for example, theanamorphic lens 91 may be formed integrally with the coupling lenses20A, 20B, 20C, or the like.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 34 illustrates a schematic configuration of a projector (aprojector 5) according to the fourth embodiment. It is to be noted thatthe projector 5 corresponds to a specific example of “projection displayunit” in the present disclosure. FIG. 34(A) illustrates a configurationexample of the projector 5 when viewed from above (from the y-axisdirection), and FIG. 34(B) illustrates a configuration example of theprojector 5 when viewed from a side thereof (from the x-axis direction).

The projector 5 according to this embodiment is different from theconfiguration of the projector 1 including the illumination opticalsystem 1A in that the projector 5 includes an illumination opticalsystem 5A. Description will be given of, mainly, points different fromthe projector 1, and points common to the projector 1 will not befurther described. It is to be noted that the illumination opticalsystem 5A corresponds to a specific example of “illumination unit” inthe present disclosure.

(Configuration of Illumination Optical System 5A)

The illumination optical system 5A corresponds to the illuminationoptical system 1A in which an optical path branching device 92 whichwill be described later is disposed on an optical path between theoptical path combining device 30 and the integrator 40.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 35, the illumination optical system5A is also different from the illumination optical system 1A (refer toFIG. 16) in that the light sources 10A, 10B, and 10C and other opticalmembers are not inclined (rotated). Therefore, in the illuminationoptical system 5A, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 37(A) and 37(B),unlike the illumination optical system 1A (refer to FIGS. 15(A) and15(B)) (as with the comparative example illustrated in FIG. 20 and theillumination optical systems 3A and 4A in the second and thirdembodiments), in the fly-eye lens 40A, the major-axis direction of theluminance distribution Lind of incident light and the arrangementdirections of the cells 41 are not inclined (rotated).

The optical path branching device 92 is an optical device which branchesan optical path of light incident on the fly-eye lens 40A into aplurality of optical paths along the minor-axis direction (thelongitudinal direction (the y-axis direction, the second direction) inthis case) of the shape of the luminance distribution Lind. As such anoptical path branching device 92, a diffractive device 92A which emitsmultiple orders of diffractive light, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 36(A) or a half mirror (or a prism) 92B, for example, asillustrated in FIG. 36(B) may be adopted.

(Functions and Effects of Projector 5)

In this embodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 37(A) and37(B), functions and effects similar to those in the first embodimentand the like are obtained through branching the optical path of lightincident on the fly-eye lens 40A into a plurality of optical paths alongthe minor-axis direction of the shape of the luminance distribution Lindby the optical path branching device 92. In other words, even if laserlight emitted from the light source including the chip 11A configured ofan LD has a steep luminance distribution shape, luminance unevenness inincident light is easily reduced in the integrator 40. Therefore, alsoin this embodiment, luminance unevenness in illumination light anddisplay light is allowed to be reduced (in this example, the occurrenceof luminance unevenness is allowed to be avoided), and display imagequality is improvable accordingly.

It is to be noted that, in this embodiment, the diffractive device 92Aand the half mirror (prism) 92B are described as specific examples ofthe optical path branching device 92; however, the optical pathbranching device 92 is not limited thereto, and the optical pathbranching device 92 may be configured of any other optical device.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 38 illustrates a schematic configuration of a projector (aprojector 6) according to the fifth embodiment. It is to be noted thatthe projector 6 corresponds to a specific example of “projection displayunit” in the present disclosure. FIG. 38(A) illustrates a configurationexample of the projector 6 when viewed from above (from the y-axisdirection), and FIG. 38(B) illustrates a configuration example of theprojector 6 when viewed from a side thereof (from the x-axis direction).

The projector 6 according to this embodiment is different from theconfiguration of the projector 1 including the illumination opticalsystem 1A in that the projector 6 includes an illumination opticalsystem 6A. Description will be given of, mainly, points different fromthe projector 1, and points common to the projector 1 will not befurther described. It is to be noted that the illumination opticalsystem 6A corresponds to a specific example of “illumination unit” inthe present disclosure.

(Configuration of Illumination Optical System 6A)

The illumination optical system 6A corresponds to the illuminationoptical system 1A in which the optical path branching device 92described in the fourth embodiment and the anamorphic lens 91 describedin the third embodiment are disposed on an optical path between theoptical path combining device 30 and the integrator 40 in this orderfrom a side closer to the optical path combining device 30. It is to benoted that other configurations of the illumination optical system 6Aare similar to those of the illumination optical systems 4A and 5Aaccording to the third and fourth embodiments.

(Functions and Effects of Projector 6)

In this embodiment, for example, functions and effects similar to thosein the above-described third and fourth embodiments are obtainable. Inother words, luminance unevenness in illumination light and displaylight is allowed to be reduced (in this example, the occurrence ofluminance unevenness is allowed to be avoided), and display imagequality is improvable accordingly. Moreover, in this embodiment, boththe optical path branching device 92 and the anamorphic lens 91 areincluded; therefore, luminance unevenness is allowed to be reduced moreeffectively, and higher image quality is achievable.

It is to be noted that, in this embodiment, a case where the opticalpath branching device 92 and the anamorphic lens 91 are disposed on theoptical path between the optical path combining device 30 and theintegrator 40 in this order from the side closer to the optical pathcombining device 30 is described; however, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto, and they may be disposed in reverse order. Moresuperficially, the anamorphic lens 91 and the optical path branchingdevice 92 may be disposed on the optical path between the optical pathcombining device 30 and the integrator 40 in this order from the sidecloser to the optical path combining device 30.

MODIFICATION EXAMPLES

Next, modification examples (Modification Examples 1 to 3) applicable tothe above-described first to fifth embodiments in common will bedescribed below. It is to be noted that like components are denoted bylike numerals as of the embodiments and will not be further described.Moreover, as the following modification examples, modification examplesof the projector 1 (the illumination optical system 1A) in the firstembodiment will be described below as representatives; however, themodification examples are also applicable to the projectors 3 to 6 (theillumination optical systems 3A, 4A, 5A, and 6A) in the otherembodiments (the second to fifth embodiments) in a similar manner.

Modification Example 1

FIGS. 39A and 39B illustrate a schematic configuration of a projector (aprojector 7) according to Modification Example 1. It is to be noted thatthe projector 7 corresponds to a specific example of “projection displayunit” in the present disclosure. FIG. 39A illustrates a configurationexample of the projector 7 when viewed from above (from the y-axisdirection), and FIG. 39B illustrates a configuration example of theprojector 7 when viewed from a side thereof (from the x-axis direction).

The projector 7 according to this modification example is different fromthe projector 1 including the illumination optical system 1A in that theprojector 7 includes an illumination optical system 7A, and a reflectivedevice is used as the spatial modulating device 60. Description will begiven of, mainly, points different from the projector 1, and pointscommon to the projector 1 will not be further described. It is to benoted that the illumination optical system 7A corresponds to a specificexample of “illumination unit” in the present disclosure.

The illumination optical system 7A corresponds to the illuminationoptical system 1A in which a condenser lens 50A is included instead ofthe condenser lens 50. The condenser lens 50A is a lens which convertslight fluxes, from light sources, formed by the integrator 40 intoparallel light fluxes to illuminate a condenser lens 50B with the lightfluxes through a polarizing beam splitter 51.

Moreover, in this modification example, as described above, the spatialmodulating device 60 may be configured of, for example, a reflectivedevice such as a reflective liquid crystal panel. Therefore, compared tothe projector 1, the projector 7 further includes the condenser lens 50Band the polarizing beam splitter 51. The polarizing beam splitter 51 isan optical member which selectively allows specific polarized light (forexample, p-polarized light) to pass therethrough and selectivelyreflects the other polarized light (for example, s-polarized light).Moreover, the spatial modulating device 60 performs light modulationwhile reflecting light to allow light incident thereon and light exitingtherefrom to have different polarization states (for example,s-polarization and p-polarization). Therefore, light incident from theillumination optical system 7A (for example, s-polarized light) isselectively reflected to enter the spatial modulating device 60, andimage light (for example, p-polarized light) emitted from spatialmodulating device 60 selectively passes through the spatial modulatingdevice 60 to enter the projection optical system 70. The condenser lens50B is a lens which condenses light fluxes, from light sources, formedby the integrator 40 and being incident thereon through the condenserlens 50A and the polarizing beam splitter 51 to illuminate theillumination region 60A with the light fluxes in a superimposed manner.

Also in the projector 7 according to this modification example havingsuch a configuration, effects similar to those in the projector 1according to the above-described first embodiment and the like areobtainable by functions similar to those in the projector 1 and thelike.

Moreover, specifically in this modification example, since a size in thex-axis direction is specifically long in a plane (xy plane) orthogonalto the optical axis of the integrator 40, the entire projector 7 isadvantageously downsized through allowing a minor-axis direction (they-axis direction) of an outer shape of the projector 7 and theminor-axis direction of the FFP of light emitted from each of thelight-emitting spots to be coincident with each other.

Modification Example 2

FIGS. 40(A) and 40(B) illustrate a schematic configuration of aprojector (a projector 8) according to Modification Example 2. It is tobe noted that the projector 8 corresponds to a specific example of“projection display unit” in the present disclosure. FIG. 40(A)illustrates a configuration example of the projector 8 when viewed fromabove (from the y-axis direction), and FIG. 40(B) illustrates aconfiguration example of the projector 8 when viewed from a side thereof(from the x-axis direction). Moreover, FIGS. 41(A) and 41(B) illustratean example of optical paths in the projector 8. FIG. 41(A) illustratesan example of optical paths when the projector 8 is viewed from above(from the y-axis direction), and FIG. 41(B) illustrates an example ofoptical paths when the projector 8 is viewed from a side thereof (fromthe x-axis direction).

The projector 8 according to this modification example is different fromthe projector 1 including the illumination optical system 1A in that theprojector 8 includes an illumination optical system 8A. Description willbe given of, mainly, points different from the projector 1, and pointscommon to the projector 1 will not be further described. It is to benoted that the illumination optical system 8A corresponds to a specificexample of “illumination unit” in the present disclosure.

In the illumination optical system 8A, the light sources 10A, 10B, and10C, and the dichroic mirrors 30A and 30B in the illumination opticalsystem 1A are not included, and a light source 10D is included insteadof them. The light source 10D is disposed on an optical axis of acoupling lens 20D, and the illumination optical system 8A is configuredto allow light emitted from the light source 10D to directly enter thecoupling lens 20D.

The light source 10D includes, for example, the solid-statelight-emitting device 11 and the package 12 supporting and covering thesolid-state light-emitting device 11 (a base for mounting thesolid-state light-emitting device 11 thereon). In other words, in thiscase, the chip 11A is of a top emission type. Alternatively, the lightsource 10D may be of a can type in which the solid-state light-emittingdevice 11 including one or a plurality of edge-emission type chips 11Ais contained in an inner space enclosed with the stem 13 and the cap 14.In other words, in this case, the chip 11A is of an edge-emission type.

The solid-state light-emitting device 11 included in the light source10D emits light from a light emission region including one or moredot-shaped or non-dot-shaped light-emitting spots. The solid-statelight-emitting device 11 included in the light source 10D may include,for example, a single chip 11A emitting light in a predeterminedwavelength range, or a plurality of chips 11A emitting light in a samewavelength range or light in wavelength ranges different from oneanother. In a case where the solid-state light-emitting device 11included in the light source 10D includes a plurality of chips 11A, forexample, these chips 11A may be arranged in a line in the transversedirection or in a grid-like pattern in the transverse direction and thelongitudinal direction.

The chips 11A each are configured of a light-emitting diode (LED), anorganic EL light-emitting diode (OLED), or a laser diode (LD). However,also in this case, at least one chip 11A included in the light source10D is configured of an LD.

In a case where a plurality of chips 11A are included in the lightsource 10D, all of the chips 11A included in the light source 10D mayemit light in an equal wavelength range, or light in wavelength rangesdifferent from one another. In a case where a plurality of chips 11A areincluded in the light source 10D, all of the chip 11A may be configuredof chips emitting light in a wavelength of about 400 nm to about 500 nmboth inclusive (blue light), light in a wavelength of about 500 nm toabout 600 nm both inclusive (green light), or light in a wavelength ofabout 600 nm to about 700 nm both inclusive (red light). Moreover, in acase where a plurality of chips 11A are included in the light source10D, the plurality of chips 11A included in the light source 10D may beconfigured of, for example, a chip emitting light in a wavelength ofabout 400 nm to about 500 nm both inclusive (blue light), a chipemitting light in a wavelength of about 500 nm to about 600 nm bothinclusive (green light), and a chip emitting light in a wavelength ofabout 600 nm to about 700 nm both inclusive (red light).

Modification Example 3

FIG. 42 illustrates a sectional configuration example of a light source(the light source 10A, 10B, 10C, or 10D) according to ModificationExample 3. Unlike the light sources described above, the light sourceaccording to this modification example has the following configuration.Specifically, at least one of a plurality of chips 11A each configuredof an LD in the above-described first light source (for example, thelight source 10A, 10B, 10C, or 10D) is inclined with respect to anoptical axis Z1. More specifically, in this case, among three chips11A-1, 11A-2, and 11A-3, two chips 11A-1 and 11A-3 are inclined withrespect to the optical axis Z1 of a second light source. It is to benoted that, unlike the chips 11A-1 and 11A-3, the remaining chip 11A-2is disposed parallel to the optical axis Z1. Therefore, while an opticalpath of laser light emitted from the chip 11A-2 is parallel to theoptical axis Z1, optical paths of laser light emitted from the chips11A-1 and 11A-3 are oriented in a direction inclined with respect to theoptical axis Z1. Thus, in this modification example, intensity peaks oflaser light after a change in the optical paths (combining of theoptical paths) are allowed to be aligned along the optical axis Z1.

Moreover, also in this modification example, for example, as illustratedin FIG. 43, the minor-axis direction of the FFP of laser light emittedfrom each of the light-emitting spots 11B-1, 11B-2, and 11B-3 of thechips 11A-1, 11A-2, and 11A-3 is preferably substantially coincidentwith the minor-axis direction (the y-axis direction in this case) in theplane orthogonal to the optical axis of the integrator 40. Moreover,likewise, in a case where the first light source is a light sourceemitting light in two or more wavelength ranges different from oneanother, the major-axis direction (the x-axis direction in this case) ofthe FFPs of laser light emitted in these two or more wavelength rangesemitted from each of the light-emitting spots 11B-1, 11B-2, and 11B-3 ispreferably substantially coincident with one another.

Other Modification Examples

Although the present disclosure is described referring to theembodiments and the modification examples, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto, and may be variously modified.

For example, in the above-described embodiments and the like, each ofthe illumination optical systems 1A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, and 8A includesan infinite optical system allowing parallel light to enter the fly-eyelens 40A or 40C; however, each of them may include a finite opticalsystem allowing convergent light (or divergent light) to enter thefly-eye lens 40A or 40C. In this case, in the above-describedembodiments and the like, instead of the coupling lenses 20A to 20D,directivity angle changing devices having a function of converging ordiverging light emitted from the light sources 10A to 10D may beprovided. However, in this case, it is preferable that an opticalmagnification of an optical system configured of the above-describeddirectivity angle changing devices and the fly-eye lenses 40A (or thefly-eye lens 40C) and 40B is so adjusted as to allow the size of eachlight source image S formed on the fly-eye lens 40B by each of the cells41 of the fly-eye lens 40A or 40C not to exceed the size of one cell 42of the fly-eye lens 40B. More specifically, the optical magnification ofthe optical system configured of the above-described directivity anglechanging devices and the fly-eye lenses 40A (or the fly-eye lens 40C)and 40B preferably satisfies the following relational expression. It isto be noted that, also in this case, in a case where each of the cells41 and 42 of the fly-eye lenses 40A, 40B, and 40C has ahorizontal-to-vertical ratio (aspect ratio) of other than 1, theillumination optical systems 1A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, and 8A preferablyemploy anamorphic optical systems.h=P*m=/<h _(FEL2)

where m is an optical magnification of an optical system configured ofthe above-described directivity angle changing devices and the fly-eyelenses 40A (or the fly-eye lens 40C) and 40B

Moreover, a combination of any of configurations of characteristicsparts in the respective illumination optical systems and the respectiveprojectors described in the above-described embodiments and the like maybe used. More specifically, a combination of the configuration of theillumination optical system 1A in the first embodiment and any of theillumination optical systems 3A, 4A, 5A, and 6A in the second to fifthembodiments may be used. Further, a combination of the configuration ofthe illumination optical system 3A in the second embodiment and any ofthe configurations of the illumination optical systems 4A, 5A, and 6A inthe third to fifth embodiments may be used. Thus, in a case where acombination of any of configurations of characteristics parts in theplurality of embodiments and the like is used, luminance unevenness isallowed to be reduced in a synergistic manner, and higher image qualityis achievable.

Further, in the above-described embodiments and the like, a case wherethe present disclosure is applied to the projection display unit isdescribed; however, the present disclosure is also applicable to anyother display units. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 44, the presentdisclosure is applicable to a rear-projection display unit 9. Therear-projection display unit 9 includes any of the projectors 1, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8 and the like including any of the illumination opticalsystems 1A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, and 8A (or a combination of any of them)and a transmissive screen 90 displaying image light projected from theprojector 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or the like (the projection opticalsystem 70). When the illumination optical system 1A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A,8A, or the like is used as an illumination optical system of therear-projection display unit 9 in such a manner, luminance unevenness inillumination light (image light, display light) is allowed to bereduced, and display image quality is improvable.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments and the like, a casewhere the spatial modulating device 60 is configured of a transmissiveor reflective device is described as an example; however, the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the spatial modulatingdevice 60 may be configured of, for example, a digital micromirrordevice (DMD).

Moreover, in the above-described embodiments and the like, respectivecomponents (optical systems) of the illumination optical system and thedisplay unit are specifically described; however, it is not necessary toinclude all of the components, or other components may be furtherincluded.

Further, in the above-described embodiments and the like, a case wherethe illumination units in the embodiments and the like of the presentdisclosure are applied to the projection display unit or the like isdescribed as an example; however, the present disclosure is not limitedthereto, and the illumination unit is applicable to, for example,exposure systems such as steppers.

It is to be noted that the present disclosure may have the followingconfigurations.

(1) An illumination unit including:

one or more light sources each including a solid-state light-emittingdevice, the solid-state light-emitting device configured to emit lightfrom a light emission region thereof, the light emission regionincluding one or more dot-shaped or non-dot-shaped light-emitting spots;and

an optical member configured to allow light incident from thesolid-state light-emitting device to pass therethrough and exittherefrom,

in which the solid-state light-emitting device includes a single chip ora plurality of chips, the single chip configured to emit light in asingle wavelength range or light in a plurality of wavelength ranges,the plurality of chips configured to emit light in a same wavelengthrange or light in wavelength ranges different from one another,

at least one of the chips in the one or more light sources is configuredof a laser diode,

the optical member includes an integrator including a first fly-eye lensand a second fly-eye lens, and configured to uniformize a luminancedistribution of light in a predetermined illumination region illuminatedwith light incident from the solid-state light-emitting device, thefirst fly-eye lens on which light from the solid-state light-emittingdevice is incident, the second fly-eye lens on which light from thefirst fly-eye lens is incident,

each of the first and second fly-eye lenses includes a plurality ofcells, and

a major-axis direction of a luminance distribution shape of lightincident on an incident plane of the first fly-eye lens is differentfrom arrangement directions of the cells in the first fly-eye lens.

(2) The illumination unit according to (1), in which

the cells in the first fly-eye lens are arranged along a first directionand a second direction orthogonal to each other as the arrangementdirections, and

the major-axis direction in the incident light is different from boththe first and second directions.

(3) The illumination unit according to (2), in which at least the chipconfigured of the laser diode is inclined to allow a major-axisdirection of a far field pattern (FFP) of laser light emitted from thelight-emitting spot of the chip configured of the laser diode to bedifferent from both the first and second directions in the first fly-eyelens.

(4) The illumination unit according to (2) or (3), in which an angle“theta” that the major-axis direction in the incident light and thefirst direction form satisfies the following relational expression:“theta”=tan⁻¹ [h _(FEL1y)/(h _(FEL1x) ×n _(x))]

where h_(FEL1x) is a size in the first direction of one cell in thefirst fly-eye lens,

h_(FEL1y) is a size in the second direction of one cell in the firstfly-eye lens, and

n_(x) is the cell number along the first direction in the first fly-eyelens.

(5) The illumination unit according to any one of (2) to (4), in which,in the first fly-eye lens, positions of the cells along the seconddirection in at least some of a plurality of cell columns arranged alongthe first direction are different from one another.

(6) The illumination unit according to (5), in which positions of thecells along the second direction in adjacent cell columns of theplurality of cell columns along the first direction are shifted in asame direction.

(7) The illumination unit according to (6), in which a shift amount dbetween the adjacent cell columns satisfies the following relationalexpression:d=(h _(FEL1y) /n _(x))

where h_(FEL1y) is a size in the second direction of one cell in thefirst fly-eye lens, and

n_(x) is the cell number along the first direction in the first fly-eyelens.

(8) The illumination unit according to any one of (5) to (7), furtherincluding an optical device configured to expand the luminancedistribution shape of the incident light along a minor-axis directionthereof on an optical path between the light source including the chipconfigured of the laser diode and the first fly-eye lens.

(9) The illumination unit according to (8), in which the optical deviceis an anamorphic lens having a relatively longer focal length in thefirst direction than a focal length in the second direction.

(10) The illumination unit according to (8) or (9), further including anoptical path branching device configured to branch an optical path ofthe incident light into a plurality of optical paths along theminor-axis direction of the luminance distribution shape on an opticalpath between the light source including the chip configured of the laserdiode and the first fly-eye lens.

(11) The illumination unit according to (10), in which the optical pathbranching device is a diffractive device, a half mirror, or a prism.

(12) The illumination unit according to any one of (5) to (7), furtherincluding an optical path branching device configured to branch anoptical path of the incident light into a plurality of optical pathsalong the minor-axis direction of the luminance distribution shape on anoptical path between the light source including the chip configured ofthe laser diode and the first fly-eye lens.

(13) The illumination unit according to any one of (1) to (4), furtherincluding an optical device configured to expand the luminancedistribution shape of the incident light along a minor-axis directionthereof on an optical path between the light source including the chipconfigured of the laser diode and the first fly-eye lens.

(14) The illumination unit according to (13), further including anoptical path branching device configured to branch an optical path ofthe incident light into a plurality of optical paths along theminor-axis direction of the luminance distribution shape on an opticalpath between the light source including the chip configured of the laserdiode and the first fly-eye lens.

(15) The illumination unit according to any one of (1) to (4), furtherincluding an optical path branching device configured to branch anoptical path of the incident light into a plurality of optical pathsalong the minor-axis direction of the luminance distribution shape on anoptical path between the light source including the chip configured ofthe laser diode and the first fly-eye lens.

(16) The illumination unit according to any one of (1) to (15), in which

the first fly-eye lens is disposed in a substantial focal position ofthe second fly-eye lens, and

the second fly-eye lens is disposed in a substantial focal position ofthe first fly-eye lens.

(17) The illumination unit according to any one of (1) to (16), in whichthe optical member includes

one or more directivity angle changing devices configured to change adirectivity angle of light incident from the solid-state light-emittingdevice, and

the integrator configured to uniformize an illuminance distribution oflight in the predetermined illumination region illuminated with lighthaving passed through the directivity angle changing device.

(18) The illumination unit according to any one of (1) to (17), in whichthe light source is formed in a manner of a package incorporating thesolid-state light-emitting device or a package in which the solid-statelight-emitting device is supported on a base.

(19) A projection display unit provided with an illumination opticalsystem, a spatial modulating device, and a projection optical system,the spatial modulating device configured to modulate light from theillumination optical system based on an input image signal to generateimage light, the projection optical system configured to project theimage light generated by the spatial modulating device, the illuminationoptical system including:

one or more light sources each including a solid-state light-emittingdevice, the solid-state light-emitting device configured to emit lightfrom a light emission region thereof, the light emission regionincluding one or more dot-shaped or non-dot-shaped light-emitting spots;and

an optical member configured to allow light incident from thesolid-state light-emitting device to pass therethrough and exittherefrom,

in which the solid-state light-emitting device includes a single chip ora plurality of chips, the single chip configured to emit light in asingle wavelength range or light in a plurality of wavelength ranges,the plurality of chips configured to emit light in a same wavelengthrange or light in wavelength ranges different from one another,

at least one of the chips in the one or more light sources is configuredof a laser diode,

the optical member includes an integrator including a first fly-eye lensand a second fly-eye lens, and configured to uniformize a luminancedistribution of light in a predetermined illumination region illuminatedwith light incident from the solid-state light-emitting device, thefirst fly-eye lens on which light from the solid-state light-emittingdevice is incident, the second fly-eye lens on which light from thefirst fly-eye lens is incident,

each of the first and second fly-eye lenses includes a plurality ofcells, and

a major-axis direction of a luminance distribution shape of lightincident on an incident plane of the first fly-eye lens is differentfrom arrangement directions of the cells in the first fly-eye lens.

(20) A direct-view display unit provided with an illumination opticalsystem, a spatial modulating device, a projection optical system, and atransmissive screen, the spatial modulating device configured tomodulate light from the illumination optical system based on an inputimage signal to generate image light, the projection optical systemconfigured to project the image light generated by the spatialmodulating device, the transmissive screen configured to display theimage light projected from the projection optical system, theillumination optical system including:

one or more light sources each including a solid-state light-emittingdevice, the solid-state light-emitting device configured to emit lightfrom a light emission region thereof, the light emission regionincluding one or more dot-shaped or non-dot-shaped light-emitting spots;and

an optical member configured to allow light incident from thesolid-state light-emitting device to pass therethrough and exittherefrom,

in which the solid-state light-emitting device includes a single chip ora plurality of chips, the single chip configured to emit light in asingle wavelength range or light in a plurality of wavelength ranges,the plurality of chips configured to emit light in a same wavelengthrange or light in wavelength ranges different from one another,

at least one of the chips in the one or more light sources is configuredof a laser diode,

the optical member includes an integrator including a first fly-eye lensand a second fly-eye lens, and configured to uniformize a luminancedistribution of light in a predetermined illumination region illuminatedwith light incident from the solid-state light-emitting device, thefirst fly-eye lens on which light from the solid-state light-emittingdevice is incident, the second fly-eye lens on which light from thefirst fly-eye lens is incident,

each of the first and second fly-eye lenses includes a plurality ofcells, and

a major-axis direction of a luminance distribution shape of lightincident on an incident plane of the first fly-eye lens is differentfrom arrangement directions of the cells in the first fly-eye lens.

The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosedin Japanese Priority Patent Application No. 2011-071153 filed in theJapan Patent Office on Mar. 28, 2011, the entire content of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. An illumination unit comprising: one or morelight sources each including a solid-state light-emitting device, thesolid-state light-emitting device configured to emit light from a lightemission region thereof, the light emission region including one or moredot-shaped or non-dot-shaped light-emitting spots; and an optical memberconfigured to allow light incident from the solid-state light-emittingdevice to pass therethrough and exit therefrom, wherein, the solid-statelight-emitting device includes a single chip or a plurality of chips,the single chip configured to emit light in a single wavelength range orlight in a plurality of wavelength ranges, the plurality of chipsconfigured to emit light in a same wavelength range or light inwavelength ranges different from one another, at least one of the chipsin the one or more light sources is configured of a laser diode, theoptical member includes an integrator including a first fly-eye lens anda second fly-eye lens, and configured to uniformize a luminancedistribution of light in a predetermined illumination region illuminatedwith light incident from the solid-state light-emitting device, thefirst fly-eye lens on which light from the solid-state light-emittingdevice is incident, the second fly-eye lens on which light from thefirst fly-eye lens is incident, each of the first and second fly-eyelenses includes a plurality of cells, the cells in the first fly-eyelens being arranged along a first direction and a second directionorthogonal to each other as the arrangement directions, a far fieldpattern (FFP) of laser light emitted from the light-emitting spot of thechip configured of the laser diode has an anisotropic shape, and aluminance distribution shape of light incident on an incident plane ofthe first fly-eye lens also has an anisotropic shape caused by theanisotropic shape of the FFP, and a major-axis direction of theluminance distribution shape is different from arrangement directions ofthe cells in the first fly-eye lens, the major-axis direction of theincident light being different from both the first and secondarrangement directions of the cells of the first fly-eye lens.
 2. Theillumination unit according to claim 1, wherein at least the chipconfigured of the laser diode is inclined to allow an major-axisdirection of the FFP to be different from both the first and seconddirections in the first fly-eye lens.
 3. The illumination unit accordingto claim 1, wherein an angle “theta” that the major-axis direction inthe incident light and the first direction form satisfies the followingrelational expression:“theta”=tan □1[hFEL1y/(hFEL1x□nx)] where hFEL1x is a size in the firstdirection of one cell in the first fly-eye lens, hFEL1y is a size in thesecond direction of one cell in the first fly-eye lens, and nx is thecell number along the first direction in the first fly-eye lens.
 4. Theillumination unit according claim 1, wherein, in the first fly-eye lens,positions of the cells along the second direction in at least some of aplurality of cell columns arranged along the first direction aredifferent from one another.
 5. The illumination unit according to claim4, wherein positions of the cells along the second direction in adjacentcell columns of the plurality of cell columns along the first directionare shifted in a same direction.
 6. The illumination unit according toclaim 5, wherein a shift amount d between the adjacent cell columnssatisfies the following relational expression:d=(hFEL1y/nx) where hFEL1y is a size in the second direction of one cellin the first fly-eye lens, and nx is the cell number along the firstdirection in the first fly-eye lens.
 7. The illumination unit accordingto claim 4, further comprising an optical device configured to expandthe luminance distribution shape of the incident light along aminor-axis direction thereof on an optical path between the light sourceincluding the chip configured of the laser diode and the first fly-eyelens.
 8. The illumination unit according to claim 7, wherein the opticaldevice is an anamorphic lens having a relatively longer focal length inthe first direction than a focal length in the second direction.
 9. Theillumination unit according to claim 7, further comprising an opticalpath branching device configured to branch an optical path of theincident light into a plurality of optical paths along the minor-axisdirection of the luminance distribution shape on an optical path betweenthe light source including the chip configured of the laser diode andthe first fly-eye lens.
 10. The illumination unit according to claim 9,wherein the optical path branching device is a diffractive device, ahalf mirror, or a prism.
 11. The illumination unit according to claim 4,further comprising an optical path branching device configured to branchan optical path of the incident light into a plurality of optical pathsalong the minor-axis direction of the luminance distribution shape on anoptical path between the light source including the chip configured ofthe laser diode and the first fly-eye lens.
 12. The illumination unitaccording to claim 1, further comprising an optical device configured toexpand the luminance distribution shape of the incident light along aminor-axis direction thereof on an optical path between the light sourceincluding the chip configured of the laser diode and the first fly-eyelens.
 13. The illumination unit according to claim 12, furthercomprising an optical path branching device configured to branch anoptical path of the incident light into a plurality of optical pathsalong the minor-axis direction of the luminance distribution shape on anoptical path between the light source including the chip configured ofthe laser diode and the first fly-eye lens.
 14. The illumination unitaccording to claim 1, further comprising an optical path branchingdevice configured to branch an optical path of the incident light into aplurality of optical paths along the minor-axis direction of theluminance distribution shape on an optical path between the light sourceincluding the chip configured of the laser diode and the first fly-eyelens.
 15. The illumination unit according to claim 1, wherein: the firstfly-eye lens is disposed in a substantial focal position of the secondfly-eye lens, and the second fly-eye lens is disposed in a substantialfocal position of the first fly-eye lens.
 16. The illumination unitaccording to claim 1, wherein the optical member includes: one or moredirectivity angle changing devices configured to change a directivityangle of light incident from the solid-state light-emitting device, andthe integrator configured to uniformize an illuminance distribution oflight in the predetermined illumination region illuminated with lighthaving passed through the directivity angle changing device.
 17. Theillumination unit according to claim 1, wherein the light source isformed in a manner of a package incorporating the solid-statelight-emitting device or a package in which the solid-statelight-emitting device is supported on a base.
 18. A projection displayunit provided with an illumination optical system, a spatial modulatingdevice, and a projection optical system, the spatial modulating deviceconfigured to modulate light from the illumination optical system basedon an input image signal to generate image light, the projection opticalsystem configured to project the image light generated by the spatialmodulating device, the illumination optical system comprising: one ormore light sources each including a solid-state light-emitting device,the solid-state light-emitting device configured to emit light from alight emission region thereof, the light emission region including oneor more dot-shaped or non-dot-shaped light-emitting spots; and anoptical member configured to allow light incident from the solid-statelight-emitting device to pass therethrough and exit therefrom, wherein,the solid-state light-emitting device includes a single chip or aplurality of chips, the single chip configured to emit light in a singlewavelength range or light in a plurality of wavelength ranges, theplurality of chips configured to emit light in a same wavelength rangeor light in wavelength ranges different from one another, at least oneof the chips in the one or more light sources is configured of a laserdiode, the optical member includes an integrator including a firstfly-eye lens and a second fly-eye lens, and configured to uniformize aluminance distribution of light in a predetermined illumination regionilluminated with light incident from the solid-state light-emittingdevice, the first fly-eye lens on which light from the solid-statelight-emitting device is incident, the second fly-eye lens on whichlight from the first fly-eye lens is incident, each of the first andsecond fly-eye lenses includes a plurality of cells, the cells in thefirst fly-eye lens being arranged along a first direction and a seconddirection orthogonal to each other as the arrangement directions, a farfield pattern (FFP) of laser light emitted from the light-emitting spotof the chip configured of the laser diode has an anisotropic shape, anda luminance distribution shape of light incident on an incident plane ofthe first fly-eye lens also has an anisotropic shape caused by theanisotropic shape of the FFP, and a major-axis direction of theluminance distribution shape is different from arrangement directions ofthe cells in the first fly-eye lens, the major-axis direction of theincident light being different from both the first and secondarrangement directions of the cells of the first fly-eye lens.
 19. Adirect-view display unit provided with an illumination optical system, aspatial modulating device, a projection optical system, and atransmissive screen, the spatial modulating device configured tomodulate light from the illumination optical system based on an inputimage signal to generate image light, the projection optical systemconfigured to project the image light generated by the spatialmodulating device, the transmissive screen configured to display theimage light projected from the projection optical system, theillumination optical system comprising: one or more light sources eachincluding a solid-state light-emitting device, the solid-statelight-emitting device configured to emit light from a light emissionregion thereof, the light emission region including one or moredot-shaped or non-dot-shaped light-emitting spots; and an optical memberconfigured to allow light incident from the solid-state light-emittingdevice to pass therethrough and exit therefrom, wherein, the solid-statelight-emitting device includes a single chip or a plurality of chips,the single chip configured to emit light in a single wavelength range orlight in a plurality of wavelength ranges, the plurality of chipsconfigured to emit light in a same wavelength range or light inwavelength ranges different from one another, at least one of the chipsin the one or more light sources is configured of a laser diode, theoptical member includes an integrator including a first fly-eye lens anda second fly-eye lens, and configured to uniformize a luminancedistribution of light in a predetermined illumination region illuminatedwith light incident from the solid-state light-emitting device, thefirst fly-eye lens on which light from the solid-state light-emittingdevice is incident, the second fly-eye lens on which light from thefirst fly-eye lens is incident, each of the first and second fly-eyelenses includes a plurality of cells, the cells in the first fly-eyelens being arranged along a first direction and a second directionorthogonal to each other as the arrangement directions, a far fieldpattern (FFP) of laser light emitted from the light-emitting spot of thechip configured of the laser diode has an anisotropic shape, and aluminance distribution shape of light incident on an incident plane ofthe first fly-eye lens also has an anisotropic shape caused by theanisotropic shape of the FFP, and a major-axis direction of theluminance distribution shape is different from arrangement directions ofthe cells in the first fly-eye lens, the major-axis direction of theincident light being different from both the first and secondarrangement directions of the cells of the first fly-eye lens.